New Delhi, October 12: The first batch of 337 pilgrims on Tuesday left for Jeddah for the annual Haj pilgrimage from the special terminus at the Indira Gandhi International Airport
The first batch of 337 pilgrims on Tuesday left for Jeddah for the annual Haj pilgrimage from the special terminus at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Chairperson of All India Haj Committee Mohsina Kidwai accorded a ceremonial send off to the pilgrims at the airport.
This year, Saudi Arabian airlines had won the bid to carry Haj pilgrims to Jeddah. It is expected to run 525 return flights to Jeddah from 21 destinations across the country.
The first Haj flights commenced on October nine and the operations would continue till early November.
“This year 1,25,000 pilgrims will travel through the Haj Committee of India which is the largest number ever,” Krishna said addressing the pilgrims.
–Agencies