First phase of mandatory Haj training begins

Islamabad:The first phase of mandatory Haj ritual training for prospective pilgrims of the Government Scheme commenced, with Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed joining the session in Hyderabad.

Aneeq Ahmed, speaking on the occasion, mentioned that Haj training programmes will be conducted nationwide, spanning from Karachi to Khyber. He emphasised that Allah Almighty judges our intentions, and it is imperative to perform Haj with utmost devotion.

"Haj is a form of supplication to Allah.” This year, the Pakistani government has expanded facilities for pilgrims compared to the previous year, resulting in a reduction of expenses by Rs100,000 from the previous year.

He expressed that Haj pilgrims serve as fortunate ambassadors of Pakistan, tasked with upholding the nation’s honour in Saudi Arabia and keeping Pakistan in their prayers. Assembling such a significant number of pilgrims in a single location poses considerable challenges, thus the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Government of Pakistan are exerting maximum effort to guarantee a seamless experience for the pilgrims.

They are providing comprehensive information regarding transportation, accommodation, and provisions for food and beverages. It’s worth noting that more than 69,000 pilgrims under the government scheme will receive training in two stages across different districts of the country.

The second phase of training will commence after the conclusion of Ramazan. Successful intending pilgrims will receive details of the training schedule through mobile messages and the Haj app. Pilgrims will have the opportunity to attend training workshops at convenient local venues.

The training has prioritised instruction on Haj rituals, as well as addressing discipline and administrative matters. The ministry has already finalised the training curriculum.

Haj training will take place across seven Haj camps located in different districts. The comprehensive new training program will encompass the ‘Pak Haj’ mobile app, advice on Haj preparations, comprehension of rituals, addressing Haj challenges, and offering general instructions.

At the training centres, model tents resembling the style of Mina Valley have been erected. Pilgrims will be guided by Master Trainers through 3D videos and interactive question-and-answer sessions.