SRINAGAR: Over 8,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir would join Muslim devotees from across the globe in Saudi Arabia for the annual Haj pilgrimage this year with the first batch of pilgrims leaving for the kingdom from here next week, the State Government said today.
Two flights carrying 420 pilgrims each would fly directly to Saudi Arabia from here on July 25, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage from the State, an official spokesman said after a meeting here chaired by Minister of State for Haj and Auqaf Farooq Ahmad Andrabi.
He said a total of 8,050 pilgrims from the State are performing the Haj this year.
Both the flights would operate from Srinagar International Airport and the process of taking the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia is expected to be completed by August 4, the spokesman said, adding, the first return flight, carrying the pilgrims back home, would arrive here on September 7. (AGENCIES)
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