42 Indians who had gone to perform Umrah died in a road accident on Monday (17 November) in Medina, Saudi Arabia. While going from Mecca to Medina, the bus collided with a diesel tanker and this accident happened due to which it caught fire. Only one person is left alive in this incident. Let us tell you that most of those who died are women and children. All the victims were residents of Hyderabad, Telangana. 20 women and 11 children also lost their lives in this accident.

Many people of a family from Hyderabad have died in this accident. Talking to news agency ANI, a family member said that his mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law and sister-in-law have died in this accident. He told that a total of 18 people of his family have lost their lives. He said that we want to go there so that we can bury the remains of our family members.

‘Allah Taala was there in his destiny’
He said emotionally that they all had gone to very good places. Allah Taala was there in his destiny. I just have to give courage to my daughter and don’t do anything else. Regarding this accident, many people have demanded the government to go to Saudi Arabia. Another victim’s family member told that 4 members of his family have died there.

‘We should also be given permission to go to Saudi’
When the victim was asked how he got this information, he told that he had received a call from Mecca, through which we came to know about this incident. He further said that we also want to go to Saudi Arabia and we should be given permission for this. Another person said that he has not yet received the list of those who died.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Foreign Minister have also expressed grief over this incident. The Foreign Minister says that the Indian Embassy is in constant touch with the Saudi Arabian authorities and is keeping an eye on the situation.

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45 pilgrims killed after bus overturns in Madina, one passenger from Hyderabad miraculously saved, admitted to hospital

43 Indians died in a road accident in Saudi Arabia on Monday (17 November). Let us tell you that while going from Mecca to Medina, the bus collided with a diesel tanker and this accident happened due to fire in it. The dead include 20 women and 11 children. Only the bus driver survived the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed grief over this incident.

PM Modi posted on X and said that I am deeply saddened by the accident involving Indian citizens in Madina. My condolences are with the families who have lost their loved ones. PM Modi further said that I wish speedy recovery of all the injured.

Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2025

PM Modi said that our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. He said that our officials are in constant touch with the Saudi Arabian authorities and are monitoring the situation.

Most of the dead were residents of Hyderabad.
According to the information, most of the dead are said to be from Hyderabad. This accident happened near Muhras, about 160 kilometers from Madina, at around 1:30 pm Indian time, when many passengers were sleeping. Because of this he had no chance to escape.

Telangana government gave instructions to officials
Regarding this matter, Telangana government has said that they are in touch with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. In a statement issued by the state government, it has been said that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has instructed the officials present in Delhi to maintain close coordination with the embassy and help in identification of the victims and other formalities.

The Indian Embassy in Jeddah has issued a helpline number. The Embassy said that in view of this accident that happened with Indian Umrah pilgrims near Madina, a 24×7 control room has been set up in the Indian Consulate General. The helpline number is 8002440003.

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Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has expressed concern over the bus accident in Saudi Arabia. He said, “The bus carrying 42 Haj pilgrims going from Mecca to Medina caught fire. I have spoken to Abu Maithon George, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. He has assured that information about the entire matter is being collected. I have contacted two travel agencies of Hyderabad and shared the details of the passengers with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. I appeal to the Central Government, especially the External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, that the deceased Arrangements should be made to bring the bodies to India and those who are injured should be provided prompt and proper treatment.”

#WATCH Delhi , On the bus accident in Saudi Arabia, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, “…Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were traveling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire…I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in… https://t.co/oiPCgAz4tZ pic.twitter.com/jTuf2kCZPf

— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025

Saudi Arabia has announced new visa rules for the pilgrims of Umrah 2025. Saudi Arabia officials have now made it mandatory for Umrah pilgrims to arrange for hotel booking and transport before applying for visa. This means that whatever pilgrims will apply for Saudi Arabia’s visa for Umrah, they will first have to share the complete information of their hotel booking and transportation. Only then will he be given a Visa of Saudi Arabia for Umrah 2025.

In fact, Saudi Arabia has announced this new rule so that the movement of pilgrims is better managed and they can be saved from housing fraudulent proposals. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Umrah operators are already appealing to their passengers to make their booking through Saudi Arabia’s official Nusuf platform or licensed agents before submitting a visa application for Umrah.

Saudi Arabia gave information about visa rules

The Haj and Umrah Ministry and concerned officials of Saudi Arabia have significantly tightened the entry rules for Umrah from this year, so that the approval of the visa, usually depending on the hotel contracts and evidence of the local transport system verified through Nusuk Masar and Nusuk Umrah platform.

This step is part of the widespread attempt to digital and set Umrah services, under which pilgrims coming to Umrah will have to upload or link verified booking before the visa is issued.

Steps taken to save pilgrims from fraud

Saudi officials said that this change protects the pilgrims from fraud and strengthens the crowd and housing management in the time of congestion and busyness.

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Saudi arabia on visa: Saudi Arabia has resumed a day after the conclusion of Haj 2025 i.e. today on Tuesday (June 10, 2025), to release Umrah Visa. Saudi Arabia officials had earlier said that more than 1.6 million Muslims from more than 150 countries offered prayers in Mecca during the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

The restoration of Umrah Visa has cleared the way for international pilgrims to return to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The Haj and Umrah Ministry of Saudi Arabia had already confirmed the beginning of the new session of Umrah, which means that new batch of foreign pilgrims will come for the pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia banned visas of 14 countries

In April, Saudi Arabia suspended the release of short -term visas for 14 countries to curb the unauthorized Haj pilgrims and control inbound travel. Which included India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen and Morocco.

This temporary sanctions were imposed to avoid congestion during Haj 2025, which was a temporary suspension for citizens of these 14 countries on issuing Umrah, business and family travel visas. This rule is effective for the conclusion of Haj pilgrimage as well as till mid June 2025.

According to the official calendar of the Haj and Umrah Ministry, the issuance of visa will start from June 10. Umrah companies and international agents were directed to finalize their service agreements before May 27 as per the calendar issued earlier.

What is Umrah?

Umra is the pilgrimage of Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam in Saudi Arabia. This is almost like the Haj pilgrimage, there is a difference of time. However, different visas are required for both pilgrims.

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Saudi Arabia Hajj 2025: The Haj Ministry of Saudi Arabia has decided to reopen the Haj Portal (Nusuk) for 10,000 additional pilgrims from India. This decision has been taken after the special demand of the Indian government. This will fulfill the dream of thousands of Indian Muslim pilgrims who could not apply earlier or whose application was pending.

This decision of the Saudi government has also been confirmed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. The ministry clearly stated that this decision was taken because some combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOS) could not follow the deadline fixed by Saudi Arabia. They could not book the camp, hotel and transport required for Haj pilgrimage on time.

Active role of Government of India
Taking this issue seriously, the Government of India contacted the Saudi Haj Ministry and finally obtained permission to reopen the portal for 10,000 pilgrims. It is also a proof of Saudi and India’s strong diplomatic relations. The Ministry of Minorities of India has instructed all CHGOS to complete its procedures without any delay and ensure housing, transport and necessary arrangements for the concerned passengers.

Haj quota and policy
India has been allotted quota of a total of 1,75,025 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia for 2025. Of this quota, 70% of this quota is managed through the Haj Committee of India and 30% private Haj Group Organizers (CHGOS). 10,000 additional places will be filled with this remaining private quota.

Haj pilgrimage date and preparations
The Haj 2025 is proposed between June 4 to June 9, 2025, but its last date will depend on the moon of the Moon of Jilahj. This time the seriousness of the preparations for Haj can be gauged from the fact that India’s Minority Affairs Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar and Joint Secretary CPS Bakshi recently visited the city of Jeddah in Saudi and directly inspected all the preparations. As soon as, in January 2025, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also went to Saudi Arabia, where he signed a double-related deal of Haj-2025.

What to do pilgrims for Haj 2025?
Pilgrims who have not yet applied or who could not apply within the time limit of CHGO, should immediately contact the concerned operator or Haj committee. This is another golden opportunity from which they can participate in the Haj pilgrimage of 2025.

Saudi Arabia Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia makes tremendous preparations for Haj every year, but in 2025 this preparation is something special. This time the Saudi Home Ministry has issued new guidelines regarding the number of Hajis, security and crowd control. These rules not only ensure the safety of Hajis, but also help to keep the local system of maize balanced.

According to the Saudi Home Ministry, the last date for admission in Saudi Arabia for Umrah has been fixed on 13 April 2025 and all Umrah passengers will have to return by April 29. This deadline has been created so that crowds and chaos can be avoided during Haj.

Applications of 291 children of the country canceled
The Saudi Arabia government has taken a step for Haj 2025, which can affect thousands of Indian families. Now children under 12 years of age will not get Haj visas. This information has been given through the circular issued by the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai. This rule has the most direct impact on those families who were planning to travel with their children. A total of 291 children from all over the country have been canceled, including the names of 18 children of Uttar Pradesh.

Date and permit rules of entry in maize
Very strict rules are being implemented for those entering Mecca since 23 April 2025. Now it will be mandatory for any person to show any document for entry into Mecca, including the official permit to work in Haj Permit, Mecca, an authorized identity card for the resident of Mecca. According to the new law, any person who enters Mecca without these documents will be sent back from al -shei or other checkpoints. This strict rule is especially applicable to those who come to Mecca from other parts of the country in connection with tourist visas or work.

Guidelines for Umrah and Haj visas
The Saudi Home Ministry has clarified that those who do not have Haj visas will not be allowed to enter or stay in Mecca after 29 April 2025. Apart from this, it will be mandatory for foreigners to apply for permits for the work for work or foreigners coming to the surrounding areas. Individuals who travel without permits will be sent back immediately. Everyone has been advised to keep their documents complete so that there is no inconvenience.

Special monitoring on local and foreign nationals
This time the Saudi government will keep a strong monitoring on the visit of both local and foreign citizens. Especially non-resident foreign nationals of maize will also be required to take permits. People coming to Mecca from other cities of the country will be specially monitored. Any activity without permission will be considered a rule violation. This step is necessary because millions of people come to Mecca during Haj, and every year there is a situation of chaos due to some reason. Therefore, the government wants to be prepared in advance.

Holy kaaba history: A total of five pillars are mentioned in Islam, which has the fifth column Haj. All healthy and economically capable Muslims who believe in Islam are expected to go on Haj pilgrimage at least once. It is believed that after performing Haj, all the previous crimes are forgiven and Haj pilgrims can start their lives again. This is the reason that every year millions of Muslims from all over the world go to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for Haj.

You must have seen Haj pilgrims revolving around a shape in Mecca. This place is called Kaaba, which is considered to be the most sacred place in Islam, but do you know what is inside the Kaaba that Muslims revolve in Mecca? And who is allowed to go inside it? Let’s know …

Kaaba has seven rounds

Kaaba is the most important stage of Haj pilgrimage. After reaching Mecca, the Muslims on Haj pilgrimage, the mosque al haram comes and prays for the Kaaba seven times, this process is called Tawaf. It is also a custom to touch and kiss the black stone on the eastern corner of the Kaaba during Tawaf. There is a belief among Muslims that Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail built the Kaaba building in Mecca on the orders of Allah. After that, Allah told Pangbar Muhammad that such arrangements should be made that only Allah should be prayed in the Kaaba.

What is inside the Kaaba?

According to the information, the inner part of the Kaaba is about 180 square meters. There are three wooden pillars to support the roof inside it. There is white marble on the floor and gold and silver lamps are also inside the Kaaba. Clearly, this is an empty room. The place inside the Kaaba has also been marked where the Prophet Muhammad prayed.

Who has the key of Kaaba?

The Kaaba is a closed room in a way, which opens only a few times a year and only some special people are allowed to go here. According to the information, there is only one door to enter the Kaaba, which is called Bab-e-Kaaba. The key to this door was with Dr. Saleh bin Zainul Abedin Al Shebi. He died last year. It is said that since the time of Prophet Muhammad, the Shabi family has the responsibility of securing this key. Dr. Saleh was now the 109th heir of the Shabi family. In 2013, after the death of his uncle Abdul Katir Taha al Shebi, Dr. Saleh was given the responsibility of the key.

Who can go inside the Kaaba?

Access to Kaba, the most sacred place of Muslims, is very limited. There are usually only a few special people entering it. It consists of Islamic leaders and dignitaries. Apart from this, religious scholars and clerics can also get admission in it. Special guests of the Saudi government are also allowed to enter the Kaaba on special occasions.

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