272 Haj pilgrims return from Mecca

The first batch of 272 Haj pilgrims, out of a total of 310 from various parts of Punjab, has returned safely after paying obeisance at Kaaba at Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Enthusiasts including office-bearers of various Muslim outfits besides kin of the Hajis welcomed them at Indira Gandhi Airport in New Delhi on Friday, a weekday considered sacred among the followers of Islam.

While three of the pilgrims returned in a separate flight earlier, the final batch of 35 pilgrims is scheduled to arrive on coming Wednesday (July 9).

The pilgrims led by Haji Mohammad Yunas Bakhshi and Manzur Ahmed Chauhan said they, along with other pilgrims from Punjab, had prayed for peace and tranquility in the border state, besides universal fraternity. They appreciated that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had made adequate arrangements for the convenience of pilgrims before and after the pilgrimage. The administration in Saudi Arabia too had made unparalleled arrangements for the comfort and safety of devotees coming from various countries of the world, they said after returning from pilgrimage.

As many as 310 Muslim enthusiasts, including 164 men and 146 women residing in the border state, were among those from their community from various parts of India, who had considered performing Hajj pilgrimage to the holy Mecca as more important than staying together with their families, when the fear of war between India and Pakistan was at its peak during the second fortnight of May.

The threat of war did not dampen the enthusiasm of Muslims performing Haj amid escalations across the world.