Mangaluru, August 17: The first batch comprising of 134 Haj pilgrims from the state departed from Mangaluru International Airport here on Sunday August 16th at 4 pm.
A Haj camp was also organized by Haj management committee before the departure and was inaugurated at the premises of the airport in morning to wish good luck to the batch.
The event was inaugurated by Khwazi of Udupi Ibrahim Musliyar. Speaking on this occasion, he said let the Haj pilgrims pray for the peace of mankind, and the society and wished well for the pilgrims.
Mangaluru Qazi Twaka Ahmed Musliyar led the dua (prayers).
Chief guests, District In-charge minister B Ramanth Rai, Minister for Fisheries Abhaychandra Jain, wished well for the Haj Pilgrims on this occasion.
Health Minister U T Khader said for the health care of the Haj pilgrims, from the government district Vakf board officer, Haj management committee nodal officer Aboobacquer has been appointed.
Vice president of Haj Committee of India M M Ahmed said, proper arrangements are made so that the Haj pilgrims do not face any problems there. A room has been kept reserved for five members and cooking facility has also been made there itself.
The guests formally distributed the passports given to travel for Haj and fruits to seven Haj pilgrims.
MLC Ivan D’Souza, Mayor Jacintha Vijay Alfred, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim MUDA Chairman Ibrahim Kodijal, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, director of Mangaluru Airport Authority-J T Radhakrishna and others were present.
Abdurrazak Anantady and Rashid Vitla compeered the program. Siraj Bajpe recited the Kira-at.
This year one lakh, twenty thousand members from India including five thousand members from Karnataka will travel on a Haj pilgrimage, informed the central Haj Committee vice president M M Ahmed.