Mangaluru, September 29: The first batch of Haj pilgrims from Karnataka returned to Mangaluru on September 28th.
Through the Haj management committee, total of 666 members from Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Hassan and Chickmagalur districts had undertaken pilgrimage to Haj. The first batch of pilgrims consisting of 75 men and 59 women had departed from Mangalore International Airport on August 16th. Total of five batches had departed via Mangalore Airport.
The return flight of the pilgrims arrived at the Mangalore airport at 6.30pm with a delay of four hours. The family members of the pilgrims cordially received them at the airport.
Good arrangements:
The Haj pilgrims expressed their satisfaction over the facilities provided to them during their pilgrimage. The food, accommodation and transport facilities were good. The Mangaluru Haj management committee had taken much interest on us. The Saudi government had also provided good facilities there, said the Haj pilgrims.
Haj pilgrimage was wonderful. Minute problems are common in such a big program. The Saudi government had provided best facility, said Haj pilgrim; Dr Biran Moideen, Director MBA Department, PA College, Mangaluru.
Mangaluru Haj Management Committee president Yenepoya Mohammed Kunji, Udupi district Vakf Suggestion Committee president Yahya Nakwa, Director of Mangalore International Airport JT Radhakrishna and others were present.
Crane collapsed as we were watching:
There were heavy showers with wind. Meanwhile lightning had struck crane. We were standing there at some distance away. The crane turned turtle due to the lightning. People who were stranded there due to rain came under it, explained Kunji Mohammed from Moodigere. We were quite away from the place of stampede that occurred at Mina. So we could not see what happened there. We learnt that the incident took place due to sudden rush, he informed.
