The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reported that 98 Indian pilgrims have died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. The information was shared on Friday by MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. He stated that a total of 175,000 Indian pilgrims have visited Hajj so far this year. The MEA spokesperson expressed condolences to the families of the deceased pilgrims and provided no further details regarding the cause of death. Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is considered a mandatory religious duty for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage typically takes place over five days and involves various rituals, including circumambulating the Kaaba, running between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and standing in prayer at the Plain of Arafat.
