Thirty years since the end of sea Haj and the start of air travel, Mumbai ports lie silent

The last flight of Hajj pilgrims sponsored by the Hajj Committee of India departed today, while the last flights from Bangalore by the committee and from Mumbai by private travel agencies will depart tomorrow.
With this, it has been 30 years since the historic sea voyage for Hajj was discontinued and a full-fledged air Hajj system was implemented in Mumbai, yet the memories of the sea Hajj service, which was discontinued in 1995, still live on in the collective memory of millions of Indian Muslims. This was not just the end of a travel system, but also the end of a relatively low-cost and spiritual journey for the poor and middle class, which had a profound impact on the religious, cultural, and social life of Muslims in the subcontinent.
In 1995, the historic sea Hajj service from Mumbai to Jeddah was officially discontinued, after which a full-fledged air Hajj system was implemented from 1996. With this decision, the decades-old spiritual traditions associated with Mumbai's ports, Hajj pilgrim houses, and Hajj caravans also became a thing of the past.
There was a time when Mumbai was not just a commercial city, but was also known as the 'Bab-ul-Hujjaj' (Gate of Pilgrims). Pilgrims from various parts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kashmir, Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, and the Deccan, would arrive in Mumbai. During the Hajj season, the area around Ballard Pier, Indira Dock, and Yellow Gate would present a spiritual spectacle. The ports would echo with the sounds of 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik' as thousands of people would bid farewell to their loved ones with tears in their eyes.
The sea voyage was not just a means of travel, but was also considered an integral part of spiritual training. The journey, which lasted several days, would have a special atmosphere of congregational prayers, recitation of the Quran, remembrance of Allah, and collective supplications. According to elderly pilgrims, the long sea journey would instill patience, tolerance, and spiritual tranquility in a person. Muslims from different languages, regions, and sects would come together on the same ship, presenting a practical picture of Islamic brotherhood.
The most prominent symbol of this historic tradition was the famous passenger ship MV Akbari, which had been transporting hundreds of thousands of Indian pilgrims from Mumbai to Jeddah for nearly two decades. However, in 1995, the ship was permanently discontinued due to wear and tear, increasing costs, technical issues, and a change in government policy, and with it, India's sea Hajj tradition also came to an end.
At that time, the government's stance was that air travel was faster, more modern, and safer, but public circles and social organizations believed that this decision had made Hajj inaccessible to poor Muslims. Sea travel was relatively cheaper, and people with limited resources could also perform Hajj after years of modest savings, but after the air system was implemented, Hajj expenses continued to rise.
According to experts and social activists, Hajj is becoming an increasingly expensive journey that even the middle class is struggling to afford. Many families are forced to pay for Hajj by using their savings, jewelry, or loans. In this context, the discontinuation of the sea Hajj service is seen as a significant economic loss for poor pilgrims.
There were also protest demonstrations, sit-ins, and public gatherings in Mumbai's port areas against the discontinuation of the sea Hajj service at the time. Various religious leaders, social activists, and organizations had termed it a major setback for poor Muslims.
At that time, there was no online registration or computerized system. Pilgrims on the waiting list would sit outside the ports until the last moment, hoping to get a place on the ship. The Hajj pilgrim houses and surrounding areas would present a scene of human crowds and spiritual fervor during the Hajj season.
Historically, the sea Hajj journey was a great tradition for Muslims in the subcontinent. Initially, Muslims would travel to Hajj by sailboats and land caravans, and later, during the British era, a regular steamer service was started, which made Mumbai the largest center for Indian pilgrims.
Even after three decades, Mumbai's quiet ports, the deserted Ballard Pier, and the empty Yellow Gate remind us of the spiritual era when the sounds of 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik' would echo throughout the city with the waves of the sea.
Although air travel has provided time savings and modern facilities, the spirituality, sociability, and cultural color of sea travel are still unforgettable for elderly pilgrims. This is why even today, a large section of people are demanding the restoration of the low-cost sea Hajj service so that poor and middle-class Muslims can also perform Hajj at a relatively lower cost.