• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Wed, 10 Jan 2024 01:06 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Smriti Irani Madinah Visit: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Smriti Irani recently led a delegation of Indian officials to visit Madinah, which is one of Islam's two holiest cities situated in Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, unlike in Mecca, non-Muslims are allowed to enter Madinah but entry to the fenced area around the Prophet's Mosque is strictly prohibited for them. Terming the Indian delegation's visit "historic", Irani said the Indian officials visited the perimeter of the Prophet's Mosque (Al Masjid Al Nabwi) in the Markazia area of Madinah.

The delegation also undertook a visit to the mountain of Uhud and a visit to the Quba Mosque, she informed. "Quba Mosque is the first Mosque of Islam while Uhud Mountain is the final resting place of a number early Islamic martyrs," the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs said in a press release.

"Undertook a historic journey to Madinah today, one of Islam's holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet's Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam. The significance of the visit to these sites courtesy Saudi officials, intertwined with early Islamic history, underscores the depth of our cultural and spiritual engagement," she posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Besides officials from the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Indian delegation also included Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. "A Memorable Visit to the periphery of Al Masjid Al Nabawi, the second largest mosque and one of the holiest sites in Islam after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca," Muraleedharan said in a post on X.

The delegation also interacted with Indian volunteers who provided service to the pilgrims from India during Hajj 2023, the Minority Affairs Ministry said. "They also interacted with Umrah pilgrims from India," it added. The ministry further said, "The visit shall help provide a first hand insight into the arrangements required to be made for ensuring a comfortable Haj 2024 for the Indian pilgrims."

"India and KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) share warm and cordial ties and Government of India deeply appreciates the special gesture of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, KSA in facilitating this visit of the Indian delegation to Madinah. It would go a long way in providing better services to the Haj pilgrims," it stated.

(Photos used in the story shared by @VMBJP on X (formerly Twitter))