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First Haj Flight Departs Srinagar: 431 Pilgrims Begin Holy Journey to Mecca

The first contingent of 431 Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir has departed from Srinagar International Airport for Saudi Arabia. Officials confirmed the pilgrims, comprising 230 men and 201 women, left on three special flights after arrangements were made at the Haj House in Bemina. This year, a total of 4,764 pilgrims from the region are scheduled to undertake the holy Islamic pilgrimage. The Haj is a fundamental pillar of Islam, requiring every physically and financially able adult Muslim to perform it at least once in their lifetime.

Key Points: First Haj Batch Leaves Srinagar for Saudi Arabia

  • First Haj batch of 431 pilgrims departs
  • 230 males and 201 females in three flights
  • 4,764 pilgrims scheduled from J&K this year
  • Rites follow pattern set by Prophet Muhammad
  • Pilgrimage is a pillar of Islam for able Muslims
2 min read

1st batch of 431 Haj pilgrims leave for Saudi Arabia from J&K's Srinagar international airport

The first batch of 431 Haj pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir departs from Srinagar airport. 4,764 pilgrims are scheduled for the holy pilgrimage this year.

"The pilgrims left in special buses from the Haj House for the airport as hundreds of family members, relatives and friends bid them farewell. - Officials"

Srinagar, April 18

The first batch of 431 pilgrims for this year's Haj pilgrimage left on Saturday from Jammu and Kashmir for Saudi Arabia, officials of Haj committee said.

The pilgrims, including 230 males and 201 females, left in three flights from the Srinagar International Airport.

Authorities had made all arrangements of foreign exchange, documentation and baggage handling at the Haj House in Bemina area of Srinagar city.

The pilgrims left in special buses from the Haj House for the airport as hundreds of families members, relatives and friends bid them farewell.

This year, 4,764 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled for perform the holiest Muslim pilgrimage of Haj.

Haj in Islam is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime.

The Haj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the Five Pillars of Islam.

The pilgrimage rite begins on the seventh day of Dhu-al-Ḥijjah (the last month of the Islamic year) and ends on the 12th day.

The Haj is incumbent on all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the pilgrimage, but only if their absence will not place hardships on their family.

A person may perform the haj by proxy, appointing a relative or friend going on the pilgrimage to "stand in" for him or her.

The pattern of pilgrimage rites was established by the Prophet Muhammad, but variations have arisen in it, and the stringent formal itinerary is not strictly adhered to by the mass of pilgrims, who frequently visit the various Meccan sites out of their proper order.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is a beautiful tradition. The article does a good job explaining the significance of Haj for those of us who aren't familiar with it. The logistics of handling so many pilgrims must be immense.
R
Rohit P
Good to see international travel and such important religious events happening from Srinagar airport. It shows normalcy and progress in the region. More power to the pilgrims!
P
Priya S
May all their prayers be answered. The image of families bidding farewell is very moving. It's one of the biggest moments in a believer's life. Safe travels to all 4,764 pilgrims from J&K.
V
Vikram M
While I fully respect the religious sentiment, I hope the article also reminds people of the immense financial cost involved. For many families, this is a lifetime of savings. The system should perhaps be made more accessible.
K
Kavya N
The Haj committee officials and airport staff deserve a shoutout for managing the foreign exchange, docs, and baggage for so many people. That's no small task! Jai Hind.

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