First Hajj flights with 630 pilgrims leave J&K for Saudi Arabia

The first group of 630 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir is set to leave for Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The first flight will carry 315 pilgrims from Srinagar International Airport to Jeddah International Airport for onward travel to Mecca. Two flights will leave every day from Srinagar Airport to Jeddah Airport, each carrying 315 pilgrims in separate schedules. The pilgrims will wear Ihram, the white clothing worn by Hajj pilgrims, at Srinagar Airport. Emotional scenes were seen at the Hajj House Bemina, where relatives of pilgrims hugged each other reciting Allah-ho-Akbar (God is the greatest) before boarding buses. As many as 12,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are expected to perform this year’s Hajj. This year, female pilgrims without Mahram (closest male relative) will perform Hajj. Over 100 pilgrims from J&K will perform Hajj this year without a Mahram. The return of the pilgrims from Saudi Arabia will commence from July 17. The Director of Srinagar International Airport, Kuldeep Singh Rishi, said meticulous arrangements and preparations were made for a smooth transition of the Hajj pilgrims. Hajj occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, called Dhul-Hijjah, between the eighth and 13th days of the month.