Mangalore: First Batch with 159 Pilgrims Leaves for Hajj from City
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Oct 4: The first of the flights from the city to Madinah in Saudi Arabia with 159 Hajj pilgrims on board took off on Tuesday October 4 at around 7.50 pm.
The pilgrims were bid farewell at a short programme at Bajpe airport's old terminal building, organised by the state Hajj committee.
The programme was inaugurated by Mangalore Qazi Twaqa Ahmed Musliyar who wished the pilgrims well.
former minister BA Moideen, MLA Abhaychandra Jain, former police officer G A Bava and principal secretary to government, department of minority affairs Syed Zameer Pasha and others were present.
A number of relatives of the pilgrims bid them an emotional farewell.
The second and the third batches of pilgrims will fly on October 7 evening, while the fourth and the fifth batches will depart on October 10 and 11. A total of 800 pilgrims are set to undertake the journey.
On the return route, flights will be operational from Jeddah to the city from November 11 to 15. All these flights will leave Jeddah airport at 2 am and reach the city at 12 pm.
The direct flight will halt for refuelling at Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.