First Haj flight takes off with 461 piligrims

Kozhikode, Nov 25: The first Haj flight carrying 461 pilgrims, including 256 women, took off for Madeena in Saudi Arabia from Karippur International Airport, near here, today.

The Air India flight was flagged off by Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed at 1300 hrs in the presence of a large gathering of friends and relatives.

Kerala Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammedkutty was among those present.

The Haj Committee sources said the pilgrims, who would be taken to Madeena directly from Karippur, would leave for the Holy city of Mecca after staying at Madena for about eight days.

The public sector carrier would fly altogether 8,223 pilgrims, including 562 in additional quota, till December nine during the season, the sources added.

After the pilgrimage, the devotees would start returning on January seven, the sources added.

UNI