Haj flight from Kochi flagged off
Two flights operated services from the Kochi airport on Friday as part of the Haj pilgrimage under the supervision of the State Haj Committee.
Union Minister George Kurian flagged off the first flight. The pilgrims included 143 women and 146 men. The second flight included 140 women and 146 men, according to a release.
The pilgrims reached the airport on Thursday, and they were accorded a reception by the authorities. All the passengers in the flight scheduled from Kochi airport at 8.40 p.m on Saturday (May 17, 2025) will be women. Besides Kochi, two flights had carried Haj pilgrims from Kozhikode on Friday, it said.
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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Mahim residents urge revival of Haj ships as cruise terminal opens
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Muslim pilgrims seek forgiveness, shade on Mount Arafat during key Haj ritual
Muslim pilgrims gather on top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat (AP) ARAFAT: Tens of thousands of Muslim pilgrims clambered up rocks and nestled between boulders on Thursday as they embarked on a day of worship under a scorching sun at the Haj in Saudi Arabia. Braving the heat and uneven surfaces, they scaled Mount Arafat to perform a key ritual of the annual Islamic pilgrimage. They opened their arms in prayer, smartphones and hearts raised, as outsized fans sprayed fine mists of water to cool them during their long hours of worship. Pilgrims must remain in Arafat until sunset. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. Away from the worship, an ice cream kiosk nearby provided some relief. Salem Naji Ahmed, from Yemen, travelled four days overland to neighbouring Saudi Arabia because he couldn't afford the flight. "These sacred feelings are the most luxurious and best thing about Arafat," he told The Associated Press. "We came from Yemen, four days and nights. It was very tiring, but we came to please Allah and perform one of his obligations in the holy sites and in the best area on earth." The rocky hill holds immense significance in Islam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Arafat is mentioned in the Quran and it is where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have given his last sermon on his final Haj. According to traditional sayings of the prophet, the Day of Arafat is the most sacred day of the year, when God draws near to the faithful and forgives their sins. Hatem Salem, from Egypt, said: "We cannot express the feeling. We feel the best at the holy sites with a humble heart and faith." Haj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a religious obligation involving rituals and acts of worship that every Muslim must fulfil if they have the money and are physically able to do it. The authorities have not disclosed the total number of pilgrims at this year's Haj. Earlier, they said more than 1.5 million foreigners were participating. Last year, there were 1,611,310 pilgrims from outside the country.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Haj 2025: Saudi Interior Minister attends security forces' preparatory meet as annual Haj begins
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