Haj pilgrims to depart from citytt

First flight takes off on September 14

Haj pilgrims from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka will fly to Saudi Arabia in 18 special Haj flights, starting September 14. Nearly 6,500 pilgrims from the three states would leave for Jeddah in these special flights of Saudi Airlines, which would operate till September 22. While pilgrims from Telangana would fly by the first 10 flights, the next four flights would carry pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh.

According to SA Shukoor, special officer of the state Haj committee, “Pilgrims from Bidar, Gulberga and Raichur districts of Karnataka would leave by three flights. The last flight would carry pilgrims from Hyderabad and Kadapa.”

Of 6,126 pilgrims from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh selected for Haj, 495 cancelled their journey due to various reasons. Of the remaining 5,631 pilgrims, 5,208 will leave from the Hyderabad embarkation point, and 432 pilgrims from Chittoor and Anantapur districts of Andhra Pradesh will fly from Bangalore.

Haj pilgrims from the three states would gather at the Haj House in city, where customs, luggage and immigration facilities would be provided. This is the first Haj season after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Unlike many other organisations, the Haj committee has not been bifurcated and the existing arrangement is likely to continue for a few years.

Over 1.36 lakh Indian pilgrims are expected to perform Haj this year. The Haj rituals will begin in the first week of October.