Pakistani Women Playing Key Roles in Hajj Mission

Tue Jun 13 2023
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ISLAMABAD: More than 40 women from Pakistan have been sent to Saudi Arabia as part of the country’s Hajj mission, with many occupying leadership positions, according to a Religious Affairs Ministry official on Saturday.

Saudi authorities have reinstated Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota, allowing 179,210 people to participate in this year’s pilgrimage and removing the upper age limit of 65. Out of the total number of pilgrims, approximately 80,000 will perform Hajj under the government scheme, while the rest will utilize private tours.

The Religious Affairs Ministry of Pakistan stated that more than 50,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom since the government initiated special flights on May 21. “Currently, over 40 women are working shoulder to shoulder with men in the Hajj mission in Makkah and Madinah, and approximately 15 more are expected to arrive in the coming days,” said Mohammed Umer Butt, a spokesperson for the ministry.

“These women are serving in various sections, and some of them are even leading different departments,” he added, noting that female doctors and paramedics were also contributing to Pakistan’s Hajj medical mission.

Women’s Role in Hajj Mission

Nadia Razzaq, head of information technology in Makkah, emphasized the crucial roles played by women within the Hajj mission. “More than 40 women have already arrived in Saudi Arabia to fulfill various responsibilities across different sectors, such as food, accommodation, and transportation,” Razzaq said. “Women are making valuable contributions to every sector of the Hajj operations.”

Ayesha Ijaz, responsible for monitoring the Hajj mission in Makkah, explained that her role involved overseeing the arrangements made by private tour operators for arriving pilgrims. “This includes addressing their issues and ensuring the provision of the facilities promised to them in Makkah, Madinah, and other locations during the Hajj,” Ijaz said.

“Women staff also hold crucial positions in the Hajj mission, which greatly contributes to our smooth operations.”

Beenish Ashraf, head of the call center at Makkah’s main control office, highlighted the role her department plays in resolving pilgrims’ complaints. “We have employed call agents who handle pilgrims’ calls round the clock,” Ashraf stated.

“As soon as we receive these calls, we enter the details into our system, notify the respective sector commander, and contact the relevant department to expedite the resolution.”

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