Mangaluru: First batch of Haj pilgrims leave for Madina from State

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, August 16, 2015: The first batch of 134 Hajj pilgrims from Karnataka left for Madina in Saudi Arabia through Flynas Airlines at Mangalore International Airport on Sunday. In the next five days, over 666 pilgrims will leave for the holy city for 40-day pilgrimage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The elected representatives including District incharge Minister B Ramanath Rai, Youth Service, Sports and Fisheries Minister K Abhaychandra Jain, Health Minister U T Khader, MLAs J R Lobo, Mohiuddin Bava, Vasantha Bangera, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim and Mayor Jacintha Vijay Alfred were present and wished bon voyage to the pilgrims from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Kodagu districts. To mark the event, passport and fruits were distributed to five pilgrims.

Udupi Khazi Bekala Ibrahim Musliyar reminded the pilgrims not to forget their motherland during the  pilgrimage. “Pray for peace and harmony of the country during the visit to holy places,” he said.

Health Minister U T Khader said there may be difficulties during the pilgrimage, but face them with the love towards God as going on Hajj is a dream of every Muslim.

Central Hajj Committee Vice Chairman M M Mohammad said that around 5,000 people would go on Hajj through the committee this time. The total number of pilgrims from the country has been decreased to 1,00,020 this time because of massive construction works. The quota for pilgrims has been cut by 20 per cent for all countries. Around 34,000 people will go on Hajj through private operators.

Two types of accommodations—Azizia and Green, which cost Rs 1.80 lakh and Rs 2.13 lakh respectively are available. There will be catering facility and Indian food will be provided to pilgrims. If there is any problem, pilgrims may contact the committee with the given telephone numbers, he said.

Central Hajj Committee Vice Chairman M M Mohammad said that if State government handed over the land for the proposed Hajj Ghar project, which was pending for the past seven years in the district, it could be completed within six months.

The Central Hajj Committee is ready to release Rs 1.5 crore for the purpose.

Earlier, Minister U T Khader said that 1.95 acres of land had been identified for the Hajj Ghar project and the land had also been transferred to the minority department.