Indian Haj 2023 pilgrims in Makkah mukarramah in mute mode

Jeddah: Several Indian Haj pilgrims are facing difficulties in communicating with their families back home owing to the non-activation of their Saudi SIM cards.

A frightened 66-year-old Iqbal of Karimnagar ran from pillar to post to convey his wife Shahin Sultana’s deteriorating health condition from a top hospital in the holy city of Makkah to his family back home in India. However, he had to go incommunicado with his relatives in Saudi and back home too



for long hours until an acquaintance helped with his mobile on Wednesday.

His case exemplifies the trauma pilgrims undergo without a SIM card.

The pilgrims were provided prepaid SIM cards issued by different Saudi telecom service providers through the Indian Haj committee. However, Indian Haj authorities in embarkation points have failed to explain the procedure of activation of these SIM cards to pilgrims when they reach Saudi Arabia.