ibn sultan
Srinagar, April 18 : The first batch of Haj pilgrims from Kashmir departed for Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Authorities operated three flights from the Haj House in Bemina, carrying a total of 431 pilgrims.
A senior Haj official told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the batch included 230 men and 201 women. The first flight carried 79 men and 66 women, the second had 78 men and 65 women, while the third flight carried 73 men and 70 women.
According to a KNS correspondent, emotional scenes were witnessed at the departure point as family members gathered to bid farewell to their loved ones. Several elderly pilgrims were seen reciting verses from the Holy Quran while waiting to board buses to the airport.
The Executive Officer of the Haj Committee, Dr. Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, said that all necessary arrangements—including transportation, baggage handling, medical screening, and documentation—had been put in place to ensure a smooth departure.
“The process has remained smooth since morning,” he said.
Pilgrims have been advised to report at their allotted times and to carry their passport, visa copy, vaccination card, and standard baggage, while avoiding any prohibited items.
Notably, the annual pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia is set to begin next month.
