Khader initiates Haj pilgrimage

Mangaluru: “We all are pained at the fact that Haj Bhavan did not become a reality even ten years after Haj camp began to be organized in the city. The proposed Haj Bhavan was facing shortage of land. Now land has been allotted for the purpose at Adyar near national highway 75. We will make an effort to construct Haj Bhavan soon,” said Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, U T Khader after participating in the flagging off programme for the first flight of Haj pilgrims chosen by Karnataka State Haj Committee held at Ansar Public School at Bajpe on Wednesday July 17. The minister also requested all pilgrims to offer special prayers during the pilgrimage for peace and harmonious coexistence and the betterment of the citizens of the country.

Member of the state Haj Committee, K M Abubakkar Siddique Montugoli, said that out of 14,000 applications received this time, 8739 have been given an opportunity to undertake this pilgrimage, out of which, 747 pilgrims will leave in five flight during the next three days from the airport.

Central Haj Committee member and MP Mohammed Irfan Ahmed, informed that the highest number of Haj pilgrims in the world are from Indonesia. Pakistan was in second place until India replaced it recently. At the request of Prime Minster, Narendra Modi, Saudi Arabian king has raised the quota of Indian Haj pilgrims by 25,000. He explained that further attempts would be made to to make India No. 1 in this category.

Mangaluru Haj Management Committee president, Haji Yenepoya Mohammed Kunhi, flagged off a team of 75 men and 75 women who began their pilgrimage at 6.55 pm on Wednesday.