Indian Non-Muslim delegation given access to the holy city of Madina

A non-Muslim Indian delegation was given access to the holy city of Madina, it emerged on Wednesday in a rare diplomacy move by Saudi Arabia.

As reported, the actress-turned-politician ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani, led the Indian non-Muslim delegation.

The delegation was given access to the Masjid Nabawi (SAW), Uhud Mountain, and Masjid Quba, the first mosque in the world established by the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

According to an official statement, the Indian delegation visit would give an idea of the arrangements required to be made for the Haj pilgrimage this year.

The non-Muslim Indian delegation reached Saudi Arabia on Monday on a two-day official visit.

The two women included in the delegation moved around in Sari and Shalvar-Kameez without covering their heads. Smirti Irani can be seen wearing a Bindiya on her forehead. While the male state minister had a traditional male Indian outfit of off-white Dhoti and saffron Kurta.

Former artist Irani, who played Tulsi in the Indian soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, shared a collage of photos of her visit to Madina Munawara on X-platform and wrote:

“Undertook a historic journey to Madinah today, one of Islam’s holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam. The significance of the visit to these sites courtesy Saudi officials, intertwined with early Islamic history, underscores the depth of our cultural and spiritual engagement.”

It is pertinent to mention here that there exists a total ban on non-Muslims entering Makkah as well as parts of the holy city of Medina.

While attempting to enter can result in penalties, including fines or deportation.

The Irani-led Indian delegation thus is the first group of non-Muslims to enter the city and visit historic places of Islam.