First batch of Hajj pilgrims leaves for Medina

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 14

The first batch of 820 pilgrims from Kashmir left for Saudi Arabia on Saturday to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The first special Hajj flight carrying 340 pilgrims was flagged off by Governor NN Vohra from Srinagar International Airport this morning.

The Governor was accompanied by his adviser, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, and other officials from the civil administration and the police, including Director General of Police SP Vaid and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan.

Three more Hajj flights operated later in the day from the Srinagar airport via New Delhi to take the pilgrims to Medina in Saudi Arabia.

The first batch of pilgrims drawn from various districts of Kashmir arrived at Hajj House, Bemina, in the wee hours today and were provided all necessary documents for undertaking the pilgrimage.

After arrival at Hajj House, the pilgrims, accompanied by their relatives and family members, were provided boarding passes and other necessary travel documents before they proceeded to the airport in State Road Transport Corporation buses. At the airport, they were further required to go through the immigration process at the specially setup counters.

The other facilities provided to the Saudi-bound pilgrims at Hajj House included transportation, boarding and lodging, luggage checking, hassle-free screening of baggage and refreshment. The Hajj flights will take off daily till July 25 from Srinagar International Airport.

After completing Hajj, the first flight of pilgrims will return to Srinagar from Saudi on August 25 and the last on September 7.

The first flight of 340 pilgrims included 179 men and 161 women. Of them, 203 were from Anantnag district, six from Bandipora, 26 from Baramulla, 20 from Budgam, six from Ganderbal, four from Kulgam, six from Kupwara, 16 from Pulwama, 52 from Srinagar and one from Shopian.

J&K allotted 10,292 seats

• This year, the J&K State Hajj Committee received a total of 32,300 applications for undertaking the pilgrimage against the 10,292 seats allotted by the Central Hajj Committee  
• After accommodating pilgrims above 70 years of age by giving them first preference, the other pilgrims were selected through a draw of lots 
• There was, however, no woman pilgrim from J&K who wanted to undertake the pilgrimage without a ‘maharram’ (a male family member)