. NEW DELHI: As the first contingent of pilgrims embarked on Haj to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, the overall data shows that as many as 5,446 Muslim women will be travelling as “Ladies Without Mehram” (male companion) for the pilgrimage, with Kerala taking the lead again accounting for 4,477 women in this category.This is the largest contingent of women in the LWM category since 2018 when policy changes for the first time enabled Muslim women aged 45 years and above, who wish to go for Haj but do not have a male Mehram and their ‘school of thought’ (Maslak) permits, are allowed to travel in groups of four or more. Single women in the same age group can also apply.This year a total of 1,75,025 pilgrims are expected to undertake the Haj pilgrimage. Out of the total quota for the Government of India (GoI), 70% has been allocated to the Haj Committee of India and 30% to Haj Group Organisers.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123PhotostoriesHow to get rid of rats naturally without killing them: Safe home and garden solutions5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missWhy it’s so hard to end long-term relationships as per science, therapist revealsBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcements123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event
NEW DELHI: As the first contingent of pilgrims embarked on Haj to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, the overall data shows that as many as 5,446 Muslim women will be travelling as “Ladies Without Mehram” (male companion) for the pilgrimage, with Kerala taking the lead again accounting for 4,477 women in this category.This is the largest contingent of women in the LWM category since 2018 when policy changes for the first time enabled Muslim women aged 45 years and above, who wish to go for Haj but do not have a male Mehram and their ‘school of thought’ (Maslak) permits, are allowed to travel in groups of four or more. Single women in the same age group can also apply.This year a total of 1,75,025 pilgrims are expected to undertake the Haj pilgrimage. Out of the total quota for the Government of India (GoI), 70% has been allocated to the Haj Committee of India and 30% to Haj Group Organisers.
