Mangalore: The first batch of Hajj pilgrims from the state left for the sacred journey from Mangalore Airport on Friday, 28th Sep.

The first batch which left today consisted of 220 Hajis (pilgrims), among the total of 1,035 pilgrims from Mangalore this year, who are to travel to the holy city of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. A huge number of relatives and friends had come to see off their near and dear ones at the airport.



The State Hajj Minister S K Belubbi flagged off the bus from the old airport terminal carrying the passengers to the new terminal from where they boarded the flight.

Speaking to media persons on the occasion, Mr. Bellubbi informed that a total of 6,800 people from Karnataka will be performing Hajj this year and today’s batch was the first one in the entire state to depart for the holy journey. All together four destinations had been fixed for the pilgrims to choose from for their departure, i.e. Mangalore, Bangalore, Goa and Hyderabad. He wished the pilgrims a safe and sound journey, and prayed to the Almighty to solve the crisis of drought in the state. The minister further informed that the Hajj Bhavan in Bangalore will be completed soon and the state government will consider setting up similar Hajj Bhavans in the cities like Mangalore phase wise for the convenience of the Hajis.



R Abdul Riyaz Khan, the Chairman of Karanataka State Wakf Board, said that all arrangements have been made for the benefit of the pilgrims and also that every aspect of the journey will be supervised by him.

Thwaka Ahmed Musliyar, the Mangalore Qazi and Ibrahim Musliyar Bekal, the Udupi Qazi, said the supplications on the blessed occasion. MLA’s UT Khader, Ramanath Rai, Abhaychandra Jain and many others were present on the occasion.