Irani-led Indian delegation attends Hajj and Umrah Conference in Jeddah

New Delhi, Jan 9:  Union Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD) and Minority Affairs, Smriti Zubin Irani accompanied by the Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan led a delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs to the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition organised by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Saudia Arabia at Jeddah.

An official spokesman in a statement issued to the Press Information Bureau (PIB) here said that the WCD and Minority Affairs Minister-led delegation attended the inaugural session of the conference which provided valuable insights on the best practices globally, and facilitated the exchange of ideas and information, which would prove useful in improving the Hajj experience for the Indian pilgrims.

On the sidelines of the conference, a meeting was held between Irani and Muraleedharan with the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah.

There was discussion on the scope for further close cooperation and collaboration with Saudi Arabia seeking to improve the facilities and services provided to the Indian Hajj pilgrims during Hajj 2024.

The participation was a part of the ongoing visit to Saudi Arabia, during which the Bilateral Hajj Agreement for Hajj 2024 was signed between India and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

The Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition is an international event organised annually, and the 3rd edition of this international conference and exhibition is being organised from January 8 to 11 in Jeddah.

This global conference includes sessions, workshops, and training seminars by key decision-makers, experts, academics, and researchers.

The event is attended by ministers, and officials from diverse locations worldwide, along with the presence of over 200 entities representing both private and public entities engaged in the Hajj and Umrah sector.