Srinagar, Jul 04: The first batch of over 300 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir left for Saudi Arabia Thursday to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Governor Satya Pal Malik flagged off the first flight of 152 pilgrims for Medina which left from the Srinagar International Airport Thursday morning, an official spokesman said.
Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Advisor to Governor; Jina Nabi Shaikh, Chairman, Hajj Committee of India; B V R Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Baseer Khan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; S P Pani, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir; Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, Deputy Commissioner Budgam; Dr Abdul Salam Mir, Executive Officer, J&K State Hajj Committee, besides, other members of Hajj Committee of India were present on the occasion.
On the first day, 304 pilgrims, including 160 males and 144 females, embarked for the pilgrimage through two flights with 152 pilgrims each, the spokesman said.
He said the Governor interacted with a number of pilgrims and extended his best wishes to them for their safe and highly satisfying pilgrimage.
Malik urged the pilgrims to pray for welfare and development of the state and for promoting harmony and peace, the spokesman said.
He said this year, 11,700 pilgrims from the state will be proceeding for the Hajj. They will travel in daily flights till 29 July, embarking from the Srinagar International Airport.
