The inaugural contingent of pilgrims from Srinagar embarked on their journey to Medina, Saudi Arabia on Thursday to partake in the sacred Haj pilgrimage.
Expressing gratitude, one of the pilgrims stated, "We are deeply thankful to the government for their unwavering support. It's a profound honor to be chosen by Allah for this pilgrimage at such a young age. My prayers are for enduring peace and prosperity in Kashmir."
The pilgrimage commenced with the departure of the first group from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport in the early hours of Thursday.
"The first flight for Haj 2024 departed for Medina at 2:20 am today, carrying 285 pilgrims. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all pilgrims and wish them a safe journey. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the support and facilities for pilgrims have significantly improved. This year, we've introduced the 'Har Suvidha' mobile application to enhance convenience and security during the journey. The app enables direct connection to the control room and help center in case of emergencies. A total of 16,500 pilgrims are registered to depart from Delhi for Haj this year," said Kausar Jahan, the Delhi State Haj Committee chairperson.
Meanwhile, in Rajasthan's Pali district, officials reported that approximately 80 pilgrims would be vaccinated before departure.
Mohammed Ayyub Khan, chairman of the state's Haj Committee, emphasized, "This year, comprehensive arrangements have been made for vaccination. Pilgrims are receiving vaccines against polio, influenza, and meningitis. The importance of vaccination, demonstrated during the Covid-19 pandemic, cannot be overstated."
Dr. Shri Ram Yadav, chief health officer of Pali, stated, "Out of the total 80 pilgrims scheduled for vaccination, 70 have already been inoculated."
Muktesh K Pardeshi, secretary of Consular, Passport, Visa, and Overseas Indian Affairs, thoroughly reviewed preparations for Haj 2024 in Jeddah and Medina on Tuesday.
Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, holds immense significance for millions of Muslims worldwide, offering an opportunity for spiritual connection, forgiveness, and faith strengthening.
The desire to partake in the rituals of Hajj, from the journey to Mina to echoing the Labaik with fellow believers, resonates deeply with Muslims globally.
Hajj unites people from diverse backgrounds, fostering unity and equality before Allah.