Nearly 20 departments of State and Central Governments have assured their full cooperation in the departure of nearly 7,000 pilgrims for Haj 2014 from Hyderabad Embarkation Point.
The first Haj flight carrying 350 Haj pilgrims, clad in Ehraam, will leave for Jeddah at 11:30 on September 14 (Sunday) from the Haj Terminal of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. While Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali will flag off the first batch of pilgrims, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will flag off the second batch on September 15.
The Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday held a review meeting at Haj House with the senior officials of all departments concerned on the arrangements for the Haj Camp. He urged the officials to ensure proper coordination for the successful conduct of Haj camp, the first in the State of Telangana. He requested the GMR Airport authorities to provide convener belts during the return of pilgrims after performing Haj. He directed the Traffic Police to ensure proper management of traffic as all the Haj flights are scheduled during the day time.
Mahmood Ali said that the pilgrims should not face any inconvenience in completing the formalities like customs and emigration.
The review meeting began with the reciting of holy Quran by Hafiz Saber Pash. SHC Special Officer Prof S A Shukoor welcomed the gathering while Minority Welfare Department Secretary Ahmed Nadeem explained the agenda.
Ahmed Nadeem informed that the Haj Camp would be held from September 12 to 30th and since most of the pilgrims would be aged above 60 years, elaborate arrangements are being made to ensure that they do not face any difficulties.
Minorities Welfare Department Special Secretary Syed Omer Jaleel said that he has been associated with the arrangements of Haj Camp since 2001 and past experiences would be used for the successful conduct of this year’s camp.
During the meeting, the Saudi Airlines officials have agreed to supply snack boxes to pilgrims in the terminal itself and also assured to provide food in case of delay in departure of flights. They asked the Haj Committee officials to send the final list of pilgrims at least 36 hours prior to the scheduled departure.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that he would inspect the arrangements at Haj Terminal on September 11. (INN)