TV9 Bharatvarsh Journalist Risha Hussain Arrested in Saudi Arabia During Umrah
By: Alia Kashmir
Jaipur journalist Risha Hussain, who works with TV9 Bharatvarsh, has reportedly been detained in Saudi Arabia while on an Umrah pilgrimage. Her family says it has been unable to contact her since Wednesday, September 30. Millat Times Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Hussain travelled from New Delhi to Saudi Arabia on the morning of September 28 to perform Umrah, according to her sister Kainat Jafri. The family says she had completed the pilgrimage and was planning to travel to Madinah. Millat Times
According to Jafri, Hussain’s last contact was with a friend at around 6 pm to 7 pm Indian time on September 30. She reportedly told the friend that she was being detained and asked her to inform her family.
Her family has since been trying to establish contact with her and find out where she is being held. “We are worried and trying our best to contact her,” Jafri said, according to reports. Millat Times
What happened to Risha Hussain in Saudi Arabia?
The exact circumstances surrounding Hussain’s reported detention remain unclear.
A social media post seeking help claimed that Hussain sent a message saying “Arrested” at around 7:11 pm Indian time on Wednesday. The post further claimed that the temporary Saudi phone number she was using and her WhatsApp account later became unavailable.
The same appeal called on the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi authorities and TV9 Bharatvarsh to help locate her. However, these additional claims have not been independently confirmed by Saudi authorities in the reports available so far. The Observer Post
There was also no confirmed information in the reports reviewed about the reason for the reported detention or whether any formal case had been registered against Hussain. The Observer Post
Risha Hussain’s Umrah pilgrimage
Hussain’s recent social media posts show her in Makkah during her Umrah pilgrimage.
One of the posts shows her wearing a white headscarf, while another video shows her performing Tawaf around the Kaaba. Another post shows her wearing a lavender abaya and hijab at the Grand Mosque, with the Makkah Clock Tower visible in the background. The Siasat Daily
Her most recent reported Instagram reel showed her posing near the Makkah Clock Tower. According to a report citing her family, the reel included an Urdu nasheed praising Imam Hussain. Millat Times
Who is Risha Hussain?
Risha Hussain is a journalist and news anchor from Jaipur. Her professional profile lists previous work with news organisations including Zee News, NDTV and First India News. She is currently associated with TV9 Bharatvarsh. The Siasat Daily
During her time with First India News, Hussain worked as a news reader in Jaipur. Her work included news writing, copy editing, research and coordination for news programmes.
Her profile also mentions her coverage of the Nuh violence and Odisha train accident, along with reporting on festivals such as Holi and Eid. The Siasat Daily
Family seeks information
Hussain’s family is now seeking information about her whereabouts and the circumstances of the reported detention.
As of October 1, 2026, the reports I found do not provide a confirmed explanation from Saudi authorities about why she was reportedly detained. The available information is based primarily on statements attributed to her family and reports by Indian media outlets. Millat Times
Any further statement from Saudi authorities, Indian diplomatic officials, her family or TV9 Bharatvarsh could provide more clarity about the case.
Important editorial note: I would keep the word “reportedly” in your headline and article for now. The available reporting establishes the family’s account of the detention and loss of contact, but I did not find an official Saudi statement confirming the detention or explaining its reason. This distinction is important for an accurate news report.
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