Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 18: The first group of 630 Hajj pilgrims arrived here today, signalling the successful conclusion of their annual Hajj Pilgrimage-2023. Arriving on two separate flights, the pilgrims were greeted with warm receptions after their long and sacred journey.
The returning pilgrims had embarked on their Hajj journey on June 7, as the first batch leaving for the Hajj from J&K, and reached Srinagar on Flight No. 5G-5817, which landed at 7:35 am, and Flight No. SG-5717, which arrived at 10:55 am. In preparation for their arrival, authorities had meticulously arranged for a smooth reception.
Leading the reception was Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir. Accompanied by DIG Central Kashmir, Sujit Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Akshay Labroo, SSP Budgam Al-Tahir Gillani, and other officials, Bidhuri warmly welcomed the pilgrims upon their arrival at the Srinagar International Airport.
During his interaction with the pilgrims, he inquired about the arrangements made for their comfort and peace during the pilgrimage.
Moreover, Bidhuri assessed the transportation arrangements to ensure the pilgrims’ hassle-free journey to their respective destinations. He instructed officials to make certain that the transportation process would be smooth and without any inconvenience.
In a gesture of personal support, Dr Farooq Abdullah, the President of the National Conference, also visited the Srinagar International Airport to receive the first batch of Hajj pilgrims. Expressing his best wishes to the returning pilgrims, he said, “It is good to have them back in Kashmir after performing Hajj; I extend my best wishes to them.”
However, amidst the positive reception, some pilgrims voiced their dissatisfaction with the arrangements made during their pilgrimage, particularly in Madina. They criticized the authorities for failing to meet their expectations and for leaving them to manage on their own.
Ghulam Rasool, a pilgrim from North Kashmir, expressed his discontent, saying, “We faced numerous issues in Makkah, Madina, and Mina. The arrangements were subpar, with no one to assist us. The accommodations were deplorable, and we experienced hardships throughout.”
Upon their arrival in Srinagar, the Hajj pilgrims shared their experiences of having to arrange various facilities themselves, including walking on foot and spending extra money. They expressed disappointment with the treatment they received, noting that their journey had been challenging.
The pilgrims did acknowledge that the arrangements had been effective and exceeded their expectations until they departed from Srinagar. However, upon reaching their hotels, they claimed that the situation worsened, particularly during the days of Hajj.
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