Srinagar, Sept 07:
In a heartfelt appeal that echoes the voices of thousands of pilgrims, the Jammu and Kashmir Association of Hajj & Umrah Companies has called on the Government of India to start direct international flights from Srinagar Airport to Saudi Arabia. The aim? To ease the journey for those embarking on the sacred paths of Hajj and Umrah — and to ensure immigration procedures are completed at home in the Valley, rather than in the bustling corridors of New Delhi.
This significant demand was raised during the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Association, held at the SKICC Srinagar on Saturday. It wasn’t just a formal gathering; it was a powerful convergence of faith, policy, and empathy. The meeting brought together Member of Parliament Rahullah Mehdi, legislators Farooq Ahmed Shah and Sheikh Khurshid, and renowned Islamic scholars like Mufti Nazir Qasmi — all united in one mission: to make the pilgrimage journey easier for the people of J&K.
Speaker after speaker voiced the same concern — that the current practice of routing pilgrims through New Delhi imposes both logistical challenges and unnecessary financial strain. Elderly travelers, women, and families often face long delays and confusing procedures far from their homes. The sentiment was clear: “Why should pilgrims from the Valley have to struggle so far from their roots for a journey of the soul?”
MP Rahullah Mehdi addressed the gathering with sincerity, urging travel operators to ensure that pilgrims are treated with dignity and provided with better facilities. He also advised them to stay away from controversies and focus on the collective goal — preserving the spiritual integrity of Hajj and Umrah travel.
A key issue raised was the imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on services related to Hajj and Umrah. The Association stated firmly that religious journeys should not be commercialized with taxes. “This is not tourism — it’s an act of worship,” one member said. “Adding GST makes a spiritual obligation feel like a luxury item.”
There were also discussions about the need for better coordination with airlines, improved infrastructure at Srinagar Airport, and more transparency in ticketing and services.
The Association concluded with a pledge: a detailed memorandum will soon be submitted to the central government, reiterating these demands and urging swift action. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, this isn’t just about flights. It’s about dignity, access, and the right to complete a sacred journey without unnecessary barriers.
