Middle East crisis impacts Haj 2026 pilgrimage; Pilgrims asked to pay extra airfare of Rs 10,000
Staff Reporter Guwahati: The Haj Committee of India has increased the airfare for pilgrims travelling for Haj 2026 due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and has issued a circular to Haj committees in different states and UTs, including the Joint State Haj Committee (JSHC) of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, etc., asking them to inform the pilgrims to deposit an additional Rs 10,000. The Haj Committee of India informed that the airfare for pilgrims travelling for Haj 2026 has been increased with a one-time revision. Furthermore, the Ministry of Minority Affairs issued an order on April 28 approving the hike. All pilgrims have been instructed to deposit the additional amount by May 15, 2026. Payments can be made online through the official Haj Committee website or the Haj Suvidha App. Alternatively, the amount can also be deposited offline at branches of the State Bank of India and Union Bank of India using the prescribed payment slip, as the circular states. Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs, took to his X handle today to say, “For countless families, Haj is a once-in-a-lifetime dream nurtured over years.