Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, Jul 16: The first batch of over 145 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir returned on Saturday from the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
As many as 145 Hajis (male 80 and female 65) returned on the first day of Hajj arrivals at the Srinagar airport, Executive Officer J&K Hajj Committee Dr. Abdul Salam Mir said.
He said Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole, DIG Central Kashmir Range Sujit Kumar, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Deputy Commissioner Budgam and J&K Executive Officer Hajj Committee Abdul Salaam Mir received the first batch of 145 Hajis, who arrived in the first batch that landed at 7.50 am.
Special arrangements for hassle-free immigration clearance were put in place at the airport, he said.
In a heart-warming gesture, a group of Kashmiri Pandits congratulated the Hajis for completing the pilgrimage and sought their blessings. They offered roses to the pilgrims. The members of the Kashmiri Pandit community also recited ‘naats’ to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to mark the arrival of first flight of Hujaaj.
“Our Kashmiri Pandits welcoming Hajis at Srinagar airport today by singing traditional Naat seeking the blessings of Prophet. This is our syncretic culture believers of Islam are enablers of Amarnath Yatra & the followers of Shavism are messengers for unity,” tweeted PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan.
At least 80,000 pilgrims from India including 7000 from JK performed Hajj 2022 this year. To address the grievances and to seek feedback from JK pilgrims, chairman Haj corporation of India AP Abdul Kuttay and Member HCoI Er Aijaz Hussian have been camping in Saudi Arabia since July 4. Last flight of Hajj pilgrims from JK will arrive on August 1.
