NEW DELHI: The primary batch of pilgrims from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir left for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to carry out this 12 months’s Hajj. 

Particular Hajj flights from India began within the final week of Could, catering to 175,000 pilgrims. 

Amongst them, 12,000 are departing from the Himalayan area that’s a part of the bigger Kashmir — a Muslim-majority territory between India and Pakistan, each of which declare it in full and rule partly.  

The quantity, almost double Kashmir’s Hajj contingent in 2022, is the area’s largest-ever group embarking on the non secular journey that is likely one of the 5 pillars of Islam. 

“We have now the very best quota this 12 months,” Safina Baig, chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee, instructed Arab Information, as the primary group of 630 pilgrims departed from Kashmir’s most important airport in Srinagar. 

“It was an emotional scene with many feeling overwhelmed by the chance to carry out Hajj of their lifetime.” 

Many of the pilgrims had been chosen via a draw, aside from the aged and ladies touring with out a mahram, or male guardian. 

“Typically, the choice course of occurs via a draw, however as a particular gesture, we’re permitting single girls and folks above 70 to use immediately with out going via the method,” Baig mentioned. 

“For ladies with out a mahram, the Indian authorities has made particular preparations. They may keep individually, and they’ll have separate helpers for them. We have now additionally despatched a woman to handle them.” 

Shamima Akhter, 56, a widow from the southern Pulwama district of Kashmir, is likely one of the 120 Kashmiri girls pilgrims touring to Saudi Arabia alone after the Kingdom’s resolution final 12 months to elevate a rule that required them to be accompanied by a mahram. 

“By Allah’s grace, I obtained the chance to journey alone to carry out Hajj. This can be a good resolution to permit single girls to journey,” she instructed Arab Information. 

She was supported by her three daughters in gathering about $5,000 to pay for her Hajj package deal, as the price of the journey was greater than $1,000 greater than in different areas of India.

Baig, of the native pilgrimage authority, mentioned she had raised the problem with the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India. 

“What I perceive is that the rise within the complete bills is because of the greater costs of airfare from Kashmir,” she mentioned, hoping that there can be some help for the area’s pilgrims.   

“Kashmir is a Muslim-majority area, and the federal government needs to be extra thoughtful,” Baig added. “I really feel that the federal government ought to present some reduction to the Kashmiri Hajjis. It sends a great message.”