Governor Satya Pal Malik Thursday flagged off the first flight of Hajj pilgrims from Srinagar Airport, carrying 152 devotees to the holy city of Madina.
A Hajj House spokesman said 304 Hajj pilgrims left for thepilgrimage on the first day from Srinagar Airport in two flights which included160 male and 144 female pilgrims.
Earlier, in the morning, Hajj House in Bemina which wore afestive look witnessed emotional scenes as relatives of the pilgrims saw themoff. Most of pilgrims were dressed in pristine white outfits. They were alsogreeted by passers-by while travelling to the airport.
“I am very happy and hopeful that our pilgrimage findsacceptance. Prayers would be that our lives be full of joy and entire Muslimcommunity, especially Kashmir, witnesses peace and prosperity,” said a pilgrim.”We are visiting a pious destination, it is a matter of happiness for us all. Ipray each one of us gets to perform Hajj one day. The facilities at the HajjHouse are satisfactory,” said a female pilgrim.
According to State Hajj Committee, 11,700 pilgrims fromJammu and Kashmir will embark on the holy journey to Saudi Arabia this year indaily flights, with the last flight taking off from Srinagar Airport on July29. For return, the flights are scheduledbetween August 16 and September 11.
The Governor interacted with a number of Hajj pilgrims andwished them for their safe and satisfying pilgrimage. Governor urged thepilgrims to pray for welfare and development of the state.
As per a Hajj House official, the first flight had 67pilgrims from Srinagar, 50 from Baramulla, 11 from Budgam, 8 from Kupwara, 5from Anantnag, 5 from Pulwama, 4 from Bandipora and 2 from Shopian.
Executive Officer, J&K State Hajj Committee, AbdulSalaam Mir, said among the 11,700 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, 50 Khadim-ul-Hujjaj shall performpilgrimage this year.
“Among these pilgrims, 750 would embark from Delhi while therest would embark on the holy journey from Srinagar,” Mir said.
Director, Srinagar International Airport, Akash Deep Mathursaid all the flights of budget carrier SpiceJet carrying Hajj pilgrims took offas per schedule. “We have kept in place special arrangements to ensure hasslefree journey of Hajj pilgrims.” Mathur said.
SpiceJet, which is operating Hajj flights from J&K forfirst time will operate 148 flights from and to Srinagar to ferry pilgrims forthis year’s Hajj, said a statement issued by the airliner.
Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ahmad Ganai,Chairman Hajj Committee of India, Shaikh Jina Nabi, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Khan,Inspector General of Police Kashmir, S P Pani, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, DrShahid Iqbal Choudhary, DeputyCommissioner Budgam, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, Executive Officer, J&K StateHajj Committee, Abdul Salam Mir, besides other members of Hajj Committee ofIndia were present on the occasion of flagging off ceremony at the airport.