First batch of Hajis to take off on July 18

Nampally: The Telangana State Haj Committee is fully geared up to receive the first batch of pilgrims who will depart from Hyderabad on July 18. All the arrangements made to receive the pilgrims of Karnataka (first batch) who will be embarking from the Shamshabad airport on Thursday.

For the first time, Air India is allowing collective reciting of Dua-e- Safar (prayer of journey) in flights for haj pilgrims. TS Haj Committee has assured that the arrangements for the haj pilgrims who will start arriving on Wednesday from Karnataka to TS Haj House, in Nampally for their flight departing on Thursday morning. "The committee has finished all the arrangements for the pilgrims", said Mohammed Masiullah Khan, Chairman TS Haj Committee.

Speaking to The Hans India, Masiullah Khan said that all the special arrangements for the Haj-2019 has been made and the committee was trying its best to provide comfort. "All amenities to the Haj pilgrims and also their relatives who come along to see off are up to the mark", he added.

The Haj Committee has provided all safety measures, accommodation, food and all the basic facilities to pilgrims. The works were started around 20 days back and almost all the arrangements are completed.

Masiullah Khan also said that for the first time the Haj camp is under the waterproof shelter and with air-conditioning. Around 20 ACs were installed in the camp. Committee has also installed LED screens for instructions to the pilgrims. This time AC buses are being used for transportation and 14 buses has provided per flight, he explained.

Speaking about the flights, Masiullah Khan said that a total of 23 flights will be departing from Hyderabad. The first flight will take off from Hyderabad and land in Madina (KSA) on Thursday.

The following flights will resume from July 26 and the last flight will be on August 4. All the remaining flights will takeoff from Hyderabad towards Jeddah KSA. About 23, Khadim-ul-Hujjah (Haj volunteers) were selected, each one taking responsibility of a flight, he noted.

Masiullah said that the Air India granted permission for collective recitation of Dua-e- Safar by the pilgrims in flights. This has been initiated for the first time in history. During the meeting, members of the Haj committee requested for the reciting Dua in flights and it has been granted by the airlines.

"The Khadim-ul-Hujjaj will be reciting the Dua in flights for Haj pilgrims. This Dua is recited by Muslim before they start any journey by praying to Allah to protect them on their journeys and get them back home safely."