First batch of Haj pilgrims from TN leaves today

Chennai, Nov 30 (UNI) The first batch of 442 Haj pilgrims from Tamil Nadu today left for Jeddah by a special Saudi Airlines Aircraft.

State Environment Minister T P M Moideen Khan saw them off at the airport in the presence of Tamil Nadu Haj Committee President J M Haroon, MP, and Waqf Board Chairman Hyder Aloi.

Of the 442 passengers, 207 were men and the remaining 235 included women and children.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said a total of 3,562 pilgrims would go on Haj pilgrimage from Tamil Nadu this year in nine aircrafts from today to December five.

Of this 1,703 would be men, 1,848 women and 11 children.

Apart from this 175 passengers from Puducherry and 75 from Andamans would also go on Haj pilgrimage. A total of 3,812 pilgrims would go to Haj from Chennai Airport.

Mr Khan said the state government had allotted Rs 20 lakh towards allowances for Haj pilgrims.

UNI