The annual Haj pilgrimage saw its first batch of 630 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir leaving for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, according to local officials.
The group, comprised of 339 male and 291 female pilgrims, was bid farewell at the Srinagar airport by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The pilgrims boarded two flights, each carrying 315 passengers.
Sinha conveyed his well-wishes via Twitter, stating, “Flagged off UT’s 1st batch of Haj pilgrims from Srinagar International Airport, today. Conveyed my greetings and best wishes to the blessed pilgrims, who are embarking upon the sacred journey for performing the Haj. I pray for a successful pilgrimage and peace & prosperity for J&K.”
Safina Baig, Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee, assured that all necessary arrangements had been made for the pilgrims. “We have tried to make the arrangements better this year,” she added. Baig also informed that an additional batch of 115 women, who will be embarking on the Haj pilgrimage without a ‘mahram’ (male guardian), is scheduled to leave on June 10.
Among the departing pilgrims, Abdul Khaliq from Rainawari and Firdous Bhat from Chadoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district expressed their joy and gratitude for being able to embark on this sacred journey. Both pilgrims pledged to pray for the peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir, with Bhat also pledging to pray for the youth battling drug addiction.
