Governor N N Vohra Saturday flagged off the first flight of Hajj pilgrims from Srinagar airport, carrying 340 devotees to the holy city of Madina.
Earlier, in the morning the pilgrims clad in white robes left the Hajj House in Bemina amid emotional scenes as their relatives saw them off.
“We will pray for the betterment of Muslim community and peace, tranquility in Kashmir. It is a journey of a lifetime which every Muslim yearns to embark upon,” said a pilgrim.
According to state hajj committee, more than 10,000 from Jammu and Kashmir will embark on the holy journey to Saudi Arabia this year in daily flights, with the last flight taking off from Srinagar airport on July 25.
A Hajj House spokesman said, 800 Hajj pilgrims left for the pilgrimage on the first day from Srinagar airport in four flights.
The Governor interacted with a number of pilgrims and wished them a safe journey and a highly satisfying Hajj.
More than 500 pilgrims from the state quota will embark on the holy journey from New Delhi over the next few days.
The first flight from Srinagar airport included 179 male and 161 female pilgrims, of whom 203 Hajis were from District Anantnag, 6 each from Bandipora, Ganderbal and Kupwara, 26 from Baramulla, 20 from Budgam, 4 from Kulgam, 16 from Pulwama, 52 from Srinagar and one from Shopian.
“Hajj House will act as mini airport for pilgrims. As we have made all arrangements of transportation, boarding, and lodging, luggage checking and security at Srinagar Hajj House and hassle-free screening of baggage, refreshment, food, Nimaz, distribution of travel documents and issuance of boarding pass at the Srinagar Airport for hassle free journey of pilgrims,” Executive Officer State Hajj Committee, Syed QamarSajad told Greater Kashmir.
“Among 10183 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, 50 KhadimulHujjaj shall perform pilgrimage this year from,” he said. Director Srinagar International Airport, Sharad Kumar said all the flights of Air India carrying Hajj pilgrims took off as per schedule.
“We have kept in place special arrangements to ensure hassle free journey of Hajj pilgrims.”
Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Advisor to Governor; Dr. S.P. Vaid, DGP; Baseer Khan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; ShahidAnayatullah, Secretary Revenue; Dr. Syed SehrishAsgar, Deputy Commissioner Budgam were present on the occasion of flagging off ceremony at the airport.