SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah this morning extended a warm send-off to the first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, wishing them a safe journey and smooth performance of Manasik-e-Hajj.
The Chief Minister arrived at Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport Srinagar early in the morning, where he interacted with the pilgrims before their departure. A total of 178 pilgrims boarded a direct flight to Saudi Arabia.
During his interaction, the Chief Minister expressed hope for the pilgrims’ well-being and a spiritually fulfilling Haj-e-Baitullah. He urged them to pray for lasting peace, prosperity, and progress in Jammu and Kashmir, and for protection of its people from suffering and adversity.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, and other concerned officials.
The pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the arrangements made at both the Hajj House and the Srinagar International Airport.
Elaborate facilities were put in place for the convenience of the pilgrims, including transportation, boarding and lodging, luggage verification, security screening, refreshments, food, prayer arrangements, distribution of travel documents, and prompt issuance of boarding passes.
