Haj Pilgrimage 2026: 695 pilgrims selected under Nizam Rubath Scheme

The selection process under the Nizam Rubath facility for the sacred Haj pilgrimage 2026 has been successfully completed, with 695 pilgrims chosen through a lucky draw conducted for applicants belonging to the former Hyderabad State , according to an official announcement.

HEH Nizam Committee member Faiz Khan said the selection was carried out in a completely transparent manner. He said the draw was conducted in the presence of representatives of the Telangana government, members of the Haj Committee , officials of the Waqf Board , and Saudi representative Hussain Al Sharif. He added that the selected pilgrims include members of the Nizam royal family as well as employees of trusts associated with HEH the Nizam.

The selected pilgrims will be accommodated at the historic Nizam Rubath in Makkah . Faiz Khan said the facility not only provides comfortable lodging during the Haj but also significantly reduces the financial burden on pilgrims. He said the tradition has been in place for decades and that the committee remains committed to preserving it for future generations .

He said the service was first initiated by the Fifth Nizam and was later strengthened by the Eighth Nizam, Nawab Mir Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah Bahadur . He added that there are plans to restore existing Rubath facilities or establish new ones in Madinah to further enhance convenience for pilgrims in the future. He also conveyed his best wishes for a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey to all the selected pilgrims.

Haj is one of the five fundamental obligations in Islam and is mandatory for every Muslim who is physically and financially able to perform it. The pilgrimage is considered physically demanding, with pilgrims often walking up to around 25 kilometres a day under harsh climatic conditions. In 2025, Haj was performed in Saudi Arabia from June 4 to June 9, while the first batch of Indian pilgrims departed in early May.

According to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju , a total of 1,22,518 pilgrims from India participated in the Haj in 2025. Each year, India’s Haj quota is determined under a bilateral agreement between the governments of India and Saudi Arabia. Of the total quota, 70 per cent of seats are allotted to the Haj Committee of India, while the remaining 30 per cent are allocated to Haj Group Organisers.