52 flights took 10,656 J

Srinagar, Dec 26 (UNI) A total of 52 special flights carried a record number of 10,656 Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir to Jeddah this year.

The departure of pilgrims had started from here on November 22 and concluded yesterday with one day break on December 23 as the aircraft had developed technical snag on its way back from Jeddah and was grounded at the Dubai airport.

The last batch of 77 pilgrims, including 25 women, left here for Jeddah yesterday. The pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir this year included three infants.

Last year, as many as 9,200 pilgrims from the state performed Haj. 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.

The state Haj Committee has thanked all agencies concerned for excellent cooperation during the entire departure schedule.

The agencies involved were Airport Authority of India, Air India, Indian (Airlines), District Administration Srinagar and Badgam, Doordarshan Kendra, Radio Kashmir, Tourism, Health and Information departments, Roads and Buildings, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Home Guards, Central Reserve Police Force, Centurion Bank.

Despite allotment of additional quota of 4000 to Jammu and Kashmir at a very late stage, the Committee said the departure process had been accomplished successfully with the coordinated efforts of all agencies concerned.

It expressed the hope that these agencies would work with similar zeal during the arrival period starting from January 5.

UNI AG HS KN1936