New mehram rule helps women find their feet
MUMBAI: “They are hesitant and worried about what people in the community would think about them. But, we want them to go, so they set a good precedent for other women,” said Nazeen Sayeed, daughter-in-law of Shamshadabai Isarail Sayeed, 62, who is among the first women to visit the annual Haj pilgrimage without a mehram (husband or male blood relation as guardian).
Unlike Shamshadabai, her sister-in-law Taiyyabhi Hamid Sheikh is determined to make the most of the trip. Being the youngest in the group, Sheikh’s family looks up to her to take care of the other women travelling along with her.
“Wahan jaa ke dekh lenge aur kar lenge
(When we reach there, we will manage.),” Sheikh said.
Three groups from Mumabai, Nagpur and Wardha with each comprising four women will leave on Saturday. Another group had left for Haj earlier this month.
For some women, the idea of going to the pilgrimage this year is an ‘emotional one’. For example Shamshadabai’s husband, who was supposed to be their mehram, passed away last year. The change in the Haj rule by the Saudi government ensured that women above 45 years could travel without a mehram. Among the four groups, most women are relatives while the rest have been brought together by the Haj Committee. “My mother wanted to go, and it is not always possible for someone to accompany them. In such cases, their wish remains unfulfilled. Now, we are glad she got company and went to Haj,” said Rafik Sheikh Hingni, whose mother Hamida Chand Sheikh left for Haj earlier this month.
Haj officials said women did not have to worry about arrangements. “Women without male companion will stay in a separate building at Mecca and Medina, and for the first time, 13 Khadim-ulhujjaj (personal caretakers) have been assigned to assist them,” said Maqsood Ahmed Khan, chief executive officer, Haj Committee of India (HCOI). According to the minority affairs ministry, around 1,300 women will travel to Haj for the first time without mehram this year; of them 1,000 are from Kerala.
“Why should we be worried? There are so many females from Kerala in Saudi Arabia. The restrictions cannot be applicable for a person like me who has lost her husband and father. How would I have gone otherwise if it wasn’t for this provision?” said a retired teacher from Mohammed Ali Road, travelling along with her sisters.
Three years ago, the Saudi government allowed women above 45 in group to travel without a mehram. Indian implemented it from this year.