In an uncommon diplomatic gesture, a delegation from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani, embarked on a two-day official trip to Saudi Arabia. Middle East Eye reported that the delegation’s objective to strengthen bilateral ties took a momentous turn as they were granted access to Madina, the Muslim holy city, including the Prophet’s Mosque.
Irani shared a compilation of photos from the visit on her social media handle, expressing, “Embarked on a historic journey to Madina today, one of Islam’s holiest cities. Our visit included the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and the vicinity of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam.
This visit, facilitated by Saudi authorities, intertwines with early Islamic history, emphasizing the depth of our cultural and spiritual connections.” Madina, housing the Prophet Muhammad’s resting place, is typically off-limits to non-Muslim dignitaries outside the Prophet’s Mosque, known as Masjid Nabwi.
However, this visit by a non-Muslim delegation marks an unprecedented diplomatic access to a site regarded as sacred by Muslims and not generally open to tourists.
As per Irani, the primary aim of the visit is to fortify bilateral relations between India and Saudi Arabia while gaining insights into the arrangements for the forthcoming Hajj pilgrimage. The visit follows the signing of the 2024 Bilateral Haj Agreement between Irani and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah on January 7.
The agreement stipulates India’s allocation of 175,025 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj, underscoring the significance of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Irani expressed gratitude for the opportunity on social media, characterizing the visit as a “historic journey,” highlighting the profound cultural and spiritual bond between India and Saudi Arabia.
Accompanied by senior officials, including the Minister of External Affairs, Irani utilized the visit to engage with Saudi and Indian business professionals. The discussions aimed to explore investment opportunities and foster stronger bilateral relations.
An official spokesperson emphasized the exceptional nature of India-Saudi Arabia relations, noting that it was the first time a non-Muslim delegation had been received in Madina, underscoring the significance of the visit.
It’s important to note the strict ban on non-Muslims entering Makkah and specific areas of Madina, enforced with penalties such as fines or deportation for breaching these restrictions. Documentation checks rigorously prohibit non-Muslim access to the holy sites.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage, a fundamental aspect of Islam, represents the fifth pillar of the faith. While approximately 2.5 million people participated in the 2019 Hajj pilgrimage, subsequent years witnessed limitations due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The BJP delegation’s visit to Madina signifies a notable diplomatic stride, setting a new precedent for non-Muslim engagement with historically sacred sites in Saudi Arabia.
