As Haj pilgrims dressed in ihram, men wearing two pieces of unstitched white cloth and women in modest loose-fitting attire, arrive at Haj terminals in Jeddah or Medina, luxury cars transport some of them to five-star hotels overlooking the Haram Sharif.
Situated close to the holy sites in both cities, these premium hotels offer direct views of the sacred landmarks, allowing pilgrims to pray and send salutations to the Prophet from their rooms.
This year’s Haj falls in the last week of May.
These facilities are part of “luxury Haj packages” chosen by wealthy pilgrims seeking added comfort during the pilgrimage. The high-priced packages include premium accommodation in hotels, upgraded tents in Mina and Arafat, luxury transport and curated food services.
“The package is customised for pilgrims who are willing to pay for comfort during the pilgrimage. Haj is a religious journey, but there is nothing wrong in travelling comfortably if one can afford it,” said Yusuf Ahmed Kherada, a Mumbai-based Haj and Umrah tour organiser with over three decades of experience.
Kherada said demand for such services increased after actor Aamir Khan sought special arrangements for his mother’s Haj pilgrimage in 2011. Since then, more affluent pilgrims have opted for premium services.
Luxury arrangements are most visible in Mina and Arafat, where select pilgrims stay in air-conditioned gypsum-board tents or Kidana towers near the Jamarat area, according to tour organiser Imran Alvi.
Senior organiser Ebrahim Hashim Kolsawala said luxury Haj packages also offer non-shifting accommodation, allowing pilgrims to remain close to Haram Sharif throughout their stay.
Food services are also tailored for affluent pilgrims, with Indian cooks preparing multi-cuisine meals ranging from Mughlai dishes to continental food.
However, some community members have criticised the trend. Former Central Haj Committee member Nasir Jamal said Haj should be performed modestly and money spent on luxury travel could instead support welfare programmes.
(With inputs from TOI)
