Hajj Pilgrims from Indian-Occupied Kashmir See Record Decline

The soaring cost of performing Hajj has led to a sharp decline in the number of pilgrims from Indian-occupied Kashmir this year. Many aspiring pilgrims, unable to bear the financial burden, have been forced to set aside their dreams of undertaking this sacred journey. Among them is a retired government employee from Srinagar, who had been saving for years to perform Hajj but eventually withdrew his application form after realizing the expenses involved.

Speaking anonymously to reporters, he shared his plight: “I have two daughters, and when I found out that the total cost for my wife and me to perform Hajj would be ₹900,000, I couldn’t imagine spending such a large amount. It left me wondering what would happen to my daughters if I used our savings. Performing Hajj has been our lifelong dream, but inflation has broken our backs and made it impossible.”

Dig deeper: Devastating Hajj Heatwave Claims Over 1,000 Lives, Hundreds Still Unaccounted For

Declining Applications: First Time in Over Two Decades

This year, for the first time in 22 years, the Hajj Committee of Indian-administered Kashmir did not conduct the traditional lottery draw for applications. Dr. Shujaat Qureshi, Chief Executive of the State Hajj Committee, revealed to the news media that only 4,300 applications were received for a quota of 7,900, leaving nearly half the slots unfilled. Moreover, 700 applicants later returned their forms, citing financial constraints as the primary reason.

Dr. Qureshi emphasized that the cost of ₹450,000 per person, driven by inflation and economic challenges, has become prohibitively high for most people. “In today’s economic climate, spending such an amount for Hajj is beyond the reach of many aspiring pilgrims,” he added.

Changing Dynamics of Hajj Pilgrimage

Historically, the number of Hajj pilgrims from Kashmir has been increasing steadily over the past two decades. The trend was particularly notable among young couples, many of whom viewed the pilgrimage as a significant milestone early in their married lives. This demand also spurred the growth of numerous travel agencies offering specialized Hajj and Umrah packages.

However, Sheikh Feroz, the head of the Jammu & Kashmir Association of Hajj and Umrah Services, noted a stark reversal of this trend. “The decline in the number of pilgrims is primarily due to inflation. Rising costs have forced people to reconsider their priorities, shifting focus from spiritual aspirations to daily necessities,” he explained.

Private Sector Takes a Hit

In Kashmir, Hajj and Umrah services have evolved into a well-established private industry, estimated to be worth ₹1,000 crore. Yet, this year, the sector has witnessed an unprecedented 75% decline in business, according to Sheikh Feroz.

“Inflation is undoubtedly a major factor, but it’s not the only challenge,” he said. “Income opportunities have become limited, unemployment is rising, and people are increasingly prioritizing basic survival over fulfilling their lifelong dream of Hajj.”

A Long-Term Decline, Now Reaching Alarming Levels

Parvez Butt, the owner of the Hajj service company “Dubai International,” described the decline as a trend that has been building for years. “We’ve been noticing a gradual decrease in demand, but this year’s drop has been unprecedented. While inflation is the obvious reason, we believe there are other underlying factors as well. We are currently trying to identify them,” he said.

Economist Ejaz Ayub highlighted additional factors discouraging pilgrims, particularly the rising temperatures in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season. “Inflation and dwindling savings are the primary reasons, but the increasingly harsh climate in Saudi Arabia has also played a role. Many people now prefer going for Umrah during the winter, when the weather is more manageable and the cost is significantly lower—around ₹125,000 compared to the ₹450,000 required for Hajj.”

Ayub pointed out that while Kashmir’s per capita annual income has increased from ₹51,000 in 2012 to ₹142,000 in 2024, this growth has not kept pace with the rising cost of living. “The increase in income is negligible compared to the surge in inflation. People are now more cautious about large expenditures and are avoiding unnecessary financial strain,” he said.

Last year, the Indian Central Hajj Committee faced widespread criticism over poor arrangements during the pilgrimage. Over 100 pilgrims lost their lives due to extreme heat, including ten individuals from Kashmir. However, Ayub dismissed this incident as a factor in the declining demand. “The fatalities occurred among those who traveled under government arrangements. If safety concerns were the issue, we would have seen a shift toward private operators, who charge more but provide better services. However, that hasn’t been the case,” he explained.

The combination of inflation, unemployment, and harsh climatic conditions has profoundly reshaped the aspirations of Kashmiri pilgrims. What was once a growing trend of younger couples embarking on the sacred journey has now slowed dramatically. Families, burdened by financial challenges, are reluctantly prioritizing necessities over fulfilling their spiritual dreams.

“This is not just a religious issue but an economic and social one,” said Butt. “The dream of performing Hajj, once cherished by almost every family in Kashmir, is now becoming increasingly out of reach for the average household.”

This decline not only highlights the financial struggles of individuals but also underscores the broader economic and social challenges faced by the region. The impact is felt not only by the aspiring pilgrims but also by the private sector, which has built a substantial industry around Hajj and Umrah services. As economic pressures continue to rise, the dream of Hajj for many Kashmiri families remains an aspiration deferred, if not entirely abandoned.