Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 14: The first batch of 820 Hajj pilgrims from Kashmir today left for Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Islamic Pilgrimage.
Governor, N N Vohra accorded a warm send-off to the first batch of Hajj pilgrims at Srinagar International Airport and wished them a safe journey and smooth performance of the Hajj.
A special fleet of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses was arranged by the authorities at Hajj House in Bemina which took the pilgrims to the Srinagar International Airport.
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As per authorities, 820 pilgrims from all the 10 districts of the valley, majority of them from Anantnag district left for Saudi Arabia in four Air India flights.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah said that all the arrangements were placed for the Hajj pilgrims so that they would not face any problems. “We kept all the arrangements for the Hajj pilgrims and all the issues like currency exchange, passports or documentation details and details of tickets were micro managed. We made sure that, we felicitate in the finest of manners so that Hajj pilgrims would face a hassle free journey,” he said.
A large number of people earlier accompanied the pilgrims up to Hajj House and accorded warm and emotional send off to them.
While speaking to Excelsior, the pilgrims said that they will pray for the peace and prosperity in the Valley. “We will pray for peace in the valley and will seek blessings of Allah. It is imperative for us to pray for the return of peace and normalcy in the valley,” they said.
Meanwhile, while accompanying Governor N N Vohra at the International Airport, Advisor, Khurshid Ganie informed that over 10,000 Hajj pilgrims from the State are scheduled to perform Hajj this year in which over 9000 would leave from Srinagar embarkation point and about 600 from Delhi embarkation point.
“All the arrangements were kept in place for the pilgrims at Hajj House Bemina including night stay. Four flights will operate each day. The arrangements are good and hopefully the journey will be successful. It is our duty to provide better facilities and good arrangements for the pilgrims so that they do not face any problem,” he said.
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