The first batch of 340 Haj pilgrims from Delhi left for Jeddah. (PTI Photo)
The first batch of 340 Haj pilgrims from Delhi left for Jeddah today while a total 1,00,020 pilgrims will be facilitated by the government across India through Haj Committee this year.
"Haj pilgrimage is a cherished desire of every Muslim in his life time. All the Haj pilgrims should pray for peace, prosperity, harmony and brotherhood in our great nation as well as the entire world," Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said after flagging off the first group of pilgrims from IGI Airport here in the wee hours.
Mr Naqvi extended wishes to the pilgrims on the behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
For Haj 2016, a total 1,00,020 pilgrims will be facilitated from 21 points across India through Haj Committee. Apart from this, 36,000 pilgrims will proceed through private tour operators.
A total of 12,500 pilgrims will be proceeding from Delhi to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia by Air India's 37 charter flights for the pilgrimage this year.
Of these, 8,690 pilgrims are residents of Uttar Pradesh, while the rest are from Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana.
Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Haj Committee of India Chairman Chaudhary Mehboob Ali Qaiser, its member and Delhi Coordinator HB Kazmi, Ministry Secretary Rakesh Garg and others were present on the occasion.
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