Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday, October 23, said stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims had returned safely to India, while those still awaiting their return from Saudi Arabia were being assisted.

“The stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India safely in addition to more than 10,000 normal Umrah pilgrims who have returned earlier. Remaining Umrah pilgrims are being assisted,” Rijiju said in a post on X.

He also shared the 24-hour helpline details of the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah for nationals seeking assistance.

The Embassy of India in Riyadh can be contacted on +966-554412016 or +966-542126784. Its toll-free number, 8002471234, is available for calls from within Saudi Arabia, while WhatsApp messages can be sent to +966-536216082.

The Consulate General of India in Jeddah can be reached on +966-12-2614093 or +966-556122301. WhatsApp messages can be sent to +966-536209704.

Govt is always proactive to the issues and concerns of Indian citizens. The stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India safely in addition to more than 10,000 normal Umrah pilgrims who have returned earlier. Remaining Umrah pilgrims are being assisted.

Following are the… https://t.co/wLDNcRbyaM

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 23, 2026

On Thursday, October 22, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said around 3,000 stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims had returned to India over the previous week, in addition to more than 10,000 other pilgrims who travelled back on their booked flights during the same period. He said Indian missions were coordinating with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of those still affected.

Both statements followed an appeal by AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who said around 4,000 Indian pilgrims were stranded in Makkah and Madinah after IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India cancelled flights. He urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to allow larger aircraft or arrange special flights to bring them home.

Separately, Telangana Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin said he had spoken to India’s Consul General in Jeddah, Fahad Suri, about the affected pilgrims, including many from Telangana. He said efforts were being made to provide medical assistance and facilitate their safe return.

I spoke with India’s Consul General in Jeddah, Mr. Fahad Suri, regarding the 4,000 Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia, including many from Telangana.

We are in constant touch with the authorities, ensuring medical assistance and making every effort to resolve the situation…

— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) October 22, 2026

The flight disruptions came amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi airports earlier in October.