New Delhi, Apr 19: The first group of Indian pilgrims including 431 from Jammu and Kashmir was warmly received on their arrival at the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Madinah Airport by Deputy Ministers of Hajj and Umrah, Abdulaziz Wazzan and Ayad Abdulrahman Rahbini and Indian Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan.
Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri was also present along with senior officials of the Hajj Ministry.
Altogether 11 flights from Srinagar and various Indian cities operated from India on Saturday.
The second batch of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir also departed for the Hajj, carrying more than 300 pilgrims.
They left in three special flights.
The pilgrims are traveling to Madinah as their first destination, with many scheduled to spend 10 days there before proceeding to Makkah.
Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan inspected the airport facilities to ensure smooth processing for the arrivals.
Indian community volunteers were present to assist the pilgrims, and Indian embassy officials reviewed Hajj logistics.
The Hajj pilgrims were greeted with traditional hospitality and offered dates and Zamzam water at the immigration hall.
Later, they were taken in special buses to the lodging places.
The Saudi Ministry of Transport has authorised six main airports to handle the arrival of pilgrims.
A total of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India are scheduled to perform Hajj in 2026, with flights arriving in both Madinah and Jeddah.
The Indian Ministry of Minority Affairs has enhanced digital facilitation through the Hajj Suvidha App and introduced Hajj Suvidha smart wristbands for tracking and assistance.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stressed the importance of all pilgrims’ affairs offices and Hajj service providers to inform pilgrims of the need to obtain an official permit to perform Hajj rituals for this year and to adhere to the approved procedures for entering Makkah and the holy sites.
This is part of the ministry’s commitment to pilgrims’ safety, the quality of services provided, and enabling them to perform their rituals in a safe and organised environment.
