Pakistan has sent more than 40 women to work in its Hajj mission in Saudi Arabia this year, with many of them serving in leadership roles. The Saudi authorities have reinstated Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota, allowing 179,210 people to participate in the pilgrimage. The upper age limit of 65 has also been removed. About 80,000 people will perform Hajj under a government scheme, with the rest using private tours. More than 50,000 Pakistanis have already arrived in Saudi Arabia since special flights began on May 21.
Mohammed Umer Butt, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Ministry, said that more than 40 women are working side by side with men in the Hajj mission in Makkah and Madinah. Approximately 15 more women are expected to arrive in the coming days. These women are serving in various sections, and some of them are even leading different departments. Some female doctors and paramedics are contributing to Pakistan’s Hajj medical mission.
Nadia Razzaq, the head of information technology in Makkah, said women were playing crucial roles within the Hajj mission. Women are making valuable contributions to every sector of the Hajj operations. Ayesha Ijaz, who is responsible for monitoring the Hajj mission in Makkah, oversees the arrangements made by private tour operators for pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia. Women staff also hold crucial positions in the Hajj mission, which contributes to smooth operations.
Beenish Ashraf, who heads up the call center at Makkah’s main control office, has employed call agents who handle pilgrims’ calls round the clock. They enter the details into their system, notify the respective sector commander and contact the relevant department to expedite the resolution of pilgrims’ complaints. With their contributions in various sectors, Pakistani women are playing key roles in this year’s Hajj mission in Saudi Arabia.
