Haj 2024: 1st Indian flight reaches Madinah from Hyderabad

Madinah: The first Indian Haj flight carrying 283 pilgrims from Hyderabad arrived in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, May 9, to perform the annual pilgrimage. 

The pilgrims were received at the Prince Mohammed International Airport by India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and Consul General of India (CGI) Mohd Shahid Alam and other officials.

From the Saudi side, Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, minister of transport and logistics service, Dr. Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, vice minister of Haj and Umrah and other senior officials were present.

Upon arrival, they were presented with flowers, dates and Zamzam water bottles upon arrival.

Indian Haj pilgirms accorded a warm welcome!
Amb. Dr Suhel Khan joined Minister of Transport & Logistic Services H.E. Saleh Al-Jasser & Vice Haj Minister, H.E. Dr. Abdul-Fattah Mashat in receiving the first flight of the Indian pilgrims at Madinah Airport early morning on May 9. pic.twitter.com/nshGDaRyNm

— India in Saudi Arabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) May 9, 2024

First flight of Indian Haj Piligrims arrives in Madinah, receives a warm reception !!!

Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and Consul General Mohd. Shahid Alam @Shahid_IFS, along with the rest of Team_India managing Haj 2024 operations, heartily welcomed the… pic.twitter.com/tnczN0ncxQ

— Indian Hajj Pilgrims Office (@hajmission) May 9, 2024

On Wednesday evening, May 8, the inaugural batch of Haj pilgrims of Telangana state were given a warm farewell at Haj House in Nampally.

As many as 1,75,025 Indian pilgrims will visit Saudi Arabia under the Haj quota this year. In 2023, 1.40 lakh Indian pilgrims performed the annual pilgrimage.

Haj, is expected to begin on June 14. However, the date is subject to change pending an official announcement by the Saudi Arabia moon sighting committee in the days leading up to the Haj.

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