Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Srinagar: Saima Shafi, popularly known as kralkoor, has called out the Hajj Committee of India for failing to appoint female State Hajj Inspectors (khadims) and trainers for Kashmiri women pilgrims. In an open letter to the committee’s CEO, Shafi labeled the omission as “gender discrimination,” arguing it leaves Kashmiri women, many elderly and uneducated, without proper support during Hajj.
Citing her own experience from last year’s pilgrimage, Shafi highlighted the chaos faced by women at sites like Riyaz-ul-Jannah, Mina, and Arafat due to the absence of female khadims.
“Why is there no rule for one female SHI per 150 women Hajis?” she asked, noting that male inspectors cannot adequately address women-specific needs amid cultural taboos.
Since Saudi Arabia’s 2021 decision allowing women to perform Hajj without a mahram (male guardian), Kashmiri women have gained greater access to the pilgrimage.
However, Shafi insists that without female support staff fluent in their native language, this reform falls short for her community.
Shafi urged immediate action, stating, “Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime pillar of Islam. Kashmiri women deserve proper guidance.” The Hajj Committee has not yet responded, but her letter has ignited online support for change.
