77 J

Srinagar, Dec 25 (UNI) As many as 77 Haj pilgrims, including 25 women, from Jammu and Kashmir left here for Jeddah in a special flight today.

Today was the last day of departure for Jammu and Kashmir Haj pilgrims from here to Saudi Arabia. The departure process had started on November 22.

The pilgrims were seen off at the Srinagar Airport by senior officials of the state administration and the Haj Committee.

With this, a total of 10,453 people from Jammu and Kashmir have proceeded on the Haj pilgrimage this year as compared to 9,200 in 2005, which is the highest ever from the state. In all, 1,10,000 Haj pilgrims from India have reached Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.

More than 2 million Muslims from around the world have gathered in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual Haj.

All able-bodied Muslims are required to perform the Haj at least once in their lifetime, if they can afford it. The pilgrims retrace the steps of the Prophet Mohammad in the biggest annual mass movement of the people on the planet.

UNI AG QAB MSJ VC1858