First batch of DK Haj pilgrims to fly on July 24

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 20, 2017: Addressing media at Patrika Bhavan on July 19,  Wednesday, Haj Management Committee member C Muhammed said that first batch of Haj pilgrims for the current year will fly to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from Mangalore Airport on July 24, Monday.   Two more batches will follow on July 25 and 26.

The first flight will take off to Jeddah from the airport at 4.15 pm on July 24. The check in procedures will start at Mangaluru Old Airport at 1.30 pm.

A farewell programme for Haj pilgrims will be held at Ansar School in Bajpe at 11 am on the same day. Khazi Twakha Ahmed Musliar will present the invocation. Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan Samyukta Khazi P M Ibrahim Musliar Bekal will deliver a spiritual discourse. Ministers B Ramanath Rai, U T Khader, M P Nalin Kumar Kateel, HajCommittee office-bearers and others will be present.

Two flights will leave for Jeddah from Mangalore Airport at 12.55 pm on July 25 and 4.15 pm on July 26 as well. The pilgrims have been asked to complete the registration process at Mangalore Old Airport, two days earlier to their departure. The pilgrims have report with their luggage, confirmation card and payment acknowledgment slip issued by Haj committee, he said.

Muhammed said that there are two categories in the pilgrimage --- green and azizia. This time, due to shortage of facilities, 19,734 pilgrims out of those who have applied for green category, have been transferred to azizia.

Seeking cooperation from pilgrims in this regard, he said that the additional amount paid by the pilgrims will be refunded to them.

A total of 4.48 lakh people had applied through Indian Haj Committee for the pilgrimage. The quota provided to India by Saudi Arabia is 1.70 lakh. In this, 1.25 lakh pilgrims will travel through Haj Committee and others through private agencies.

At least 23,514 aspirants had applied for the pilgrimage from Karnataka and 6,000 will make it to the holy pilgrimage. Except for those who have been applying for the last three years and the old age persons, the rest have been selected through lucky draw system. All processes have been done online. A total of 780 people from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru will travel from Mangalore Airport. The pilgrims will stay at Mecca and Madina for 37 to 40 days, he added.

Committee secretary S M Rashid, member Yenepoya Muhammed Kunhi, Karnataka State Haj Committee member K M Aboobakar Siddik Montugoli were present at the media briefing.