Srinagar, September 7 – In a heartfelt appeal that resonates with the hopes of thousands of pilgrims, the Jammu and Kashmir Association of Hajj & Umrah Companies has called on the Government of India to introduce direct international flights from Srinagar to Saudi Arabia. The goal: to make the spiritual journey of Hajj and Umrah more accessible, dignified, and less burdensome for the people of the Valley.
The demand was voiced during the Association’s 25th Annual General Meeting, held at SKICC Srinagar. It was more than a meeting—it was a unified plea. A gathering of faith leaders, policymakers, and travel professionals came together to address the rising concerns of pilgrims who currently face the long detour through New Delhi.
Among those present were Member of Parliament Rahullah Mehdi, legislators Farooq Ahmed Shah and Sheikh Khurshid, and renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Nazir Qasmi. Their message was clear: the current system is causing unnecessary hardship.
“Why should our pilgrims be forced to travel through New Delhi, when international flights could operate directly from Srinagar?” asked one of the attendees. “The Valley has the infrastructure, the intent, and the spiritual yearning—what we need now is the support from the Centre.”
Traveling to Hajj or Umrah is not just a journey, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual mission. But for many in J&K, this holy voyage becomes a logistical and financial challenge. Re-routing through Delhi adds cost, time, and stress—especially for the elderly and those from remote areas.
MP Rahullah Mehdi urged tour operators to not only improve services but also to maintain unity and avoid disputes that might undermine the sanctity of the pilgrimage. “Let’s work together to preserve the dignity of this spiritual path,” he said.
One of the strongest appeals made during the session was for GST exemption on Hajj and Umrah services. “Taxing a spiritual obligation is unjust,” said a representative from the Association. “It puts an extra burden on aspirants already spending their life savings to fulfill this sacred duty.”
The meeting concluded with a shared resolution: to submit a formal memorandum to the central government, requesting swift action on direct flights, improved coordination with airlines, infrastructure upgrades, and removal of unnecessary taxes on religious journeys.
For thousands across Jammu and Kashmir, this is more than a logistical request—it’s a plea for dignity, faith, and fairness.
