First batch of over 600 Hajj pilgrims depart for Saudi Arabia
Div Com & IGP review departure arrangements for pilgrims
Srinagar: The first batch of over 600 Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir left for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, officials said.
They said 642 pilgrims on board two flights were headed for the 40-day pilgrimage to the Islamic pilgrimage sites in Makkah and Medina.
More than 7,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to perform the pilgrimage this year, the officials said.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the Hajj House in Srinagar as relatives bid adieu to the pilgrims.
Hajj is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam and the annual pilgrimage is undertaken by Muslims the world over.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Biduri along with IGP Kashmir, V K Birdi today reviewed the departure arrangements for the first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Srinagar International Airport.
Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Akshay Labroo; SSP Budgam, Nikhal Borkar; Director International AirPort and other concerned officers were also present, an official press release informed.
On the occasion, Div Com interacted with the pilgrims and conveyed his greetings and best wishes to them, the release said.
It said during the visit, the Div Com also took first-hand appraisal of facilities including availability of clean drinking water, medical facilities, refreshment, volunteer services and traffic management in and outside of airport premises besides immigration check facilities and baggage carrying facilities.
He directed concerned authorities to ensure hassle-free departure of all the pilgrims till the conclusion of departure schedule.
A total of 7008 Hajj pilgrims from UT of J&K will be embarking on a holy pilgrimage this year.
Relatives and friends bid farewell to the Hajj pilgrims as first batch of them leaves for the Holy pilgrimage. Photo/Farooq Javed
