Union minister flags off first batch of 410 Haj pilgrims

More than 1,800 Muslim women are going for Haj without 'Mehram' or male companions, said Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi flagged off the Hajj Operations of Mumbai at Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Saturday afternoon. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Saturday flagged off the first batch of 410 Haj pilgrims from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. A total of 8,000 pilgrims from Mumbai will leave for Haj pilgrimage in 19 flights.

Naqvi said, “A total of 79,237 Indian Muslims are going for Haj pilgrimage 2022. Significantly, 50 per cent of them are women pilgrims. More than 1,800 Muslim women are going for Haj without ‘Mehram’ or male companions.”

Haj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that all able Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lives.

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Family members and friends of the Hajj Pilgrims came to see off their loved ones at the T2 airport in Mumbai. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

From Maharashtra, 4,874 pilgrims have registered for Haj. Besides Mumbai, flights for Haj are being operated from Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Srinagar and Guwahati.

“Haj 2022 is going on successfully with reforms like digital and online processing of applications, digital health cards, e-Masiha and e-luggage. All information regarding accommodation and transportation to Mecca Madina have been provided to the pilgrims. There has been improvement in providing amenities to pilgrims,” Naqvi said.

The first batch flew from Mumbai Saturday. A total of 410 pilgrims were in the first batch from Mumbai embankment. Around 8,000 pilgrims will leave from Mumbai in 19 flights. Naqvi said, “The Haj pilgrims of India should pray for the peace and prosperity of the entire world.”

Muslims across India undertake this pilgrimage. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)

The minister thanked the Consul General of Saudi Arabia for their support extended to India. He said Saudi Arabia has allowed the maximum number of pilgrims from India for Haj this year.

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“The officials and representatives of Saudi Arabia have always appreciated Indian pilgrims for their good conduct. We hope and believe Indian pilgrims will retain that trust,” Naqvi added.

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