Hyderabad is seeing a drop in the number of people heading for the Haj pilgrimage this year. So far, around 2,400 pilgrims have cancelled their trip, reducing the total to fewer than 7,000 from the original list of over 9,000 selected by the Telangana Haj Committee.
In 2023, the committee had received more than 11,000 applications. This year, only 9,061 people applied. With many cancelling, only 6,947 pilgrims are now expected to make the journey. This decline has raised alarms, especially since flights for Haj began in the last week of April.
Officials say several factors are behind the cancellations. One major reason is the fear of extreme heat in Saudi Arabia, where temperatures can rise above 50 degrees Celsius. There are also concerns about stampedes, poor facilities, and anxiety among families, especially children, who worry about their elderly parents traveling in such conditions.
According to the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, 208 Indian pilgrims died during Haj in 2024, including eight from Telangana. Last year, over 1,300 people from different countries, mostly senior citizens, died due to the scorching heat in Makkah.
The Telangana Haj Committee blames social media for spreading fear and misinformation. They say exaggerated reports have scared many, especially older applicants. Some have even turned to expensive private tour operators, hoping for safer and more comfortable options. Many who cancelled had already paid deposits to the committee and are now asking for refunds. Most of them cite the intense heat as the main reason for backing out.
Despite the challenges, the committee assures that everything is in place for a smooth pilgrimage this year. Syed Ghulam Afzal Biyabani, Chairman of the Telangana Haj Committee, said the government is taking all necessary steps to ensure safety and comfort for pilgrims from Telangana and nearby states who are flying out from Hyderabad.
He added that special teams have been formed, including volunteers (Khadimul Hajjaj), maintenance crews, and officers, to monitor situations around the clock. The committee urges media and social platforms to verify news before sharing and act responsibly to avoid spreading fear.
“We’re working hard to make this year’s Haj safe and peaceful,” said Biyabani. “Let’s not let false news discourage people from fulfilling their religious duty.”
