NEW DELHI: As the first contingent of pilgrims embarked on Haj to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, the overall data shows that as many as 5,446 Muslim women will be travelling as “Ladies Without Mehram” (male companion) for the pilgrimage, with Kerala taking the lead again accounting for 4,477 women in this category.This is the largest contingent of women in the LWM category since 2018 when policy changes for the first time enabled Muslim women aged 45 years and above, who wish to go for Haj but do not have a male Mehram and their ‘school of thought’ (Maslak) permits, are allowed to travel in groups of four or more. Single women in the same age group can also apply.This year a total of 1,75,025 pilgrims are expected to undertake the Haj pilgrimage. Out of the total quota for the Government of India (GoI), 70% has been allocated to the Haj Committee of India and 30% to Haj Group Organisers.