Srinagar: After two years of hiatus due to covid19, the first batch of Hajj pilgrims was flagged off from Haj House Srinagar on Sunday to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for islamic holy pilgrimage.
In Islam, Hajj is a holy pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime, if he or she can afford.
The hajj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
This year over 6000 Hajis will perform Hajj from JK while as 83000 Muslims will leave for the holy pilgrimage from India.
Er Aijaz Hussain Member HCoI along with Commisioner Secretary Revenue Vijay Kumar, Dy CEO HCoI Javed Ahmed and CEO JK Haj committee today flagged off the first batch of 145 Hajis from Hajj house Haj House, Srinagar.
The first flight of Hajis (pilgrims) was departured from Srinagar at 9:50 am. I met Hajis and got their feedback about arrangements and other preparations put in place by the HCoI, Er Aijaz said.
The Hajis expressed their gratitude over the arrangements made by HCoI and JK Haj committee at Haj House, he said.
They prayed for peace and prosperity in Kashmir, he added.
"For the first time, Electronic Visas and passport facility have been provided to Hujaaj So that they can easily download the same in their mobile applications," he said.
Yesterday, Er Aijaz directed the SBI authorities to install currency exchange counters at Haj House so that Hujaj can easily convert Indian Currency into Saudi currency. He had also reviewed the preparations at RTPR unit where Hujaj are supposed to undergo covid tests before departure.
(KNO)