New Delhi, May 2 -- In a significant step toward women's empowerment, 51 women pilgrims from Delhi embarked on their Haj journey without male relatives (Mehram) this year.

The development marks a growing trend of independent female participation in the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

Delhi Haj Committee Chairperson Kausar Jahan, who saw off the pilgrims, described the moment as "a great example of women empowerment."

Jahan said, "51 women are going to Haj from Delhi without a male relative. This is a great example of women's empowerment... We have been instructed by the government to give complete support and ensure security... Each year, the count is rising while earlier people used to hesitate."

She added that the count rises yearly, whi...