Latest news with #HujjajKaram
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Omar Abdullah thanks Kiren Rijiju, Ram Mohan Naidu for extra Hajj flights after earlier disruptions
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday thanked Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu for swiftly responding to his appeal and arranging additional flights for 1,885 Hajj pilgrims who had earlier missed their journey due to flight disruptions caused by the Pahalgam attack and the conflict with Pakistan. Posting on X and tagging both ministers, Abdullah wrote, 'Grateful to the Minority Affairs and Civil Aviation Ministries for promptly acting on our request and scheduling additional flights for our 1885 Hajis who couldn't undertake the holy journey earlier due to flight disruptions.' Just a week ago, Abdullah had requested the central government to provide more Hajj flights from Srinagar to accommodate the backlog of 1,895 pilgrims affected by recent disruptions. In a tweet, the J&K CM stated, 'I have taken up with the Government of India the urgent need to arrange additional Hajj flights from Srinagar to clear the backlog of 1,895 pilgrims caused by recent flight disruptions. Ensuring a smooth and timely pilgrimage for our pilgrims is the Government's priority.' A total of 3,372 Hujjaj Karam – the term used to refer to Hajj pilgrims – departed from Srinagar on May 4. According to a facilitator, the final flight to Mecca was scheduled for May 15. Days after the first group of Hajj pilgrims from Srinagar departed for Mecca to perform the annual pilgrimage, the second batch also took off following a halt in hostilities between India and Pakistan. Omar Abdullah flagged off the first group of 178 pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia for the holy journey. 'Today, I had the honour of bidding a warm see-off to the first batch of 178 Hajj pilgrims from Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar. Wished them a safe, fulfilling journey and humbly requested prayers for peace and prosperity in our region,' the J&K CMO posted on X. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha was also present at the airport for the send-off ceremony. Among the pilgrims, Malik Abrar Altaf was deeply moved as he spoke about the spiritual meaning of the journey. 'I can't describe my emotions. The feeling is different. Hajj means journey. Allah called us, and we are going. I only hope Allah makes our journey easier and has mercy on our qaum. Islam means peace. We only hope that there is peace across the world. We will make dua for Kashmir, which always remains under turmoil,' Altaf told ANI. Another pilgrim highlighted the once-in-a-lifetime significance of Hajj for Muslims. He also expressed sorrow over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. 'This is the biggest day in my life. Muslims have to undertake this journey (once in our lifetime). We will offer duas for Kashmir because there is a lot of pain here. We will pray for Pahalgam,' he said.
India Gazette
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
J-K CM Omar Abdullah urges Centre to arrange more Haj flights from Srinagar
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 16 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Government of India to arrange additional Haj flights from Srinagar to clear the backlog of 1,895 pilgrims caused by recent flight disruptions. In a tweet, the J-K CM said, 'I have taken up with the Government of India the urgent need to arrange additional Haj flights from Srinagar to clear the backlog of 1,895 pilgrims caused by recent flight disruptions. Ensuring a smooth and timely pilgrimage for our pilgrims is the Government's priority.' Meanwhile, days after the first batch of Haj pilgrims in Srinagar left for Saudi Arabia's Mecca to undertake the annual holy pilgrimage, the second batch of Haj pilgrims also departed for Mecca from Srinagar following the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saw off the first batch of 178 Hajj pilgrims, who left for the holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia on May 11. 'Today, I had the honour of bidding a warm see-off to the first batch of 178 Hajj pilgrims from Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar. Wished them a safe, fulfilling journey and humbly requested prayers for peace and prosperity in our region,' J&K CMO posted on X. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha was also present to flag off the first batch of Hajj pilgrims. At least 3,372 Hujjaj Karam, a title bestowed upon the Hajj pilgrims, departed from Srinagar on May 11. A facilitator for the Hajj pilgrims informed that the last flight to Mecca was scheduled for May 15. Malik Abrar Altaf, overwhelmed with emotions, explained that the Hajj pilgrimage means undergoing a journey. He said he would make 'dua' for Kashmir, which has witnessed many turmoils. 'I can't describe my emotions. The feeling is different. Hajj means journey. Allah called us, and we are going. I only hope Allah makes our journey easier and has mercy on our qaum. Islam means peace. We only hope that there is peace across the world. We will make dua for Kashmir, which always remains under turmoil,' Altaf told ANI. Another Hujjaj Karam explained that the Hajj pilgrimage is undertaken by Muslims once in their life. He expressed grief over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and said that he would pray for Kashmir. 'This is the biggest day in my life. Muslims have to undertake this journey (once in our lifetime). We will offer duas for Kashmir because there is a lot of pain here. We will pray for Pahalgam,' he said. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
First batch of 3,372 Hajj pilgrims departs from Srinagar for Mecca today
Srinagar: The first batch of Hajj pilgrims in Srinagar is set to depart for Saudi Arabia's Mecca to undertake the annual holy pilgrimage to Kaaba, which is a mandated religious duty. At least 3,372 Hujjaj Karam, a title bestowed upon the Hajj pilgrims, will depart from Srinagar this morning. A facilitator for the Hajj pilgrims informed that the first flight to Mecca was scheduled for today, while the last flight will depart on May 15. "A total of 3,622 Hujjaj Karam are there, and 3,372 Hujjaj Karam are going from Srinagar. This includes 242 Hujjaj Karam from Ladakh, who are also going from Srinagar. Today is the first flight (departing from Srinagar). There are no flights scheduled for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow (May 5 and 6). There are continuous flights after that till May 15," one of the facilitators told ANI. Malik Abrar Altaf, who struggles to express his emotions, explains that the Hajj pilgrimage means undergoing a journey. He said he would make 'dua' for Kashmir, which has witnessed many turmoils. "I can't describe my emotions. The feeling is different. Hajj means journey. Allah called us, and we are going. I only hope Allah makes our journey easier and has mercy on our qaum. Islam means peace. We only hope that there is peace across the world. We will make dua for Kashmir, which always remains under turmoil," Altaf told ANI. Another Hujjaj Karam explained that the Hajj pilgrimage is undertaken by Muslims once in their life. He expressed grief over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and said that he would pray for Kashmir. "This is the biggest day in my life. Muslims have to undertake this journey (once in our lifetime). We will offer duas for Kashmir because there is a lot of pain here. We will pray for Pahalgam," he said. Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju visited the Indira Gandhi International airport on Thursday to extend his congratulations and best wishes to departing Haj pilgrims. Speaking to the mediapersons, Rijiju said, "I am here at the airport to congratulate the Haj Yatris. Around 400 people will leave today. The management has been good."He also informed of the presence of the Deputy Chief of Mission from Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, Kiren Rijiju extended his heartfelt wishes to all 1,22,518 pilgrims undertaking the sacred Haj journey. The first flights took off with 288 pilgrims from Lucknow and 262 pilgrims from Hyderabad. (ANI)
