First batch of NE Haj pilgrims to leave for Mecca tomorrow

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The first batch of Haj pilgrims from the Northeast will leave the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati for Medina in Saudi Arabia on June 5 with 150 pilgrims. From June 6 onward, two flights will leave for Medina daily till June 17. As many as 3,451 Haj pilgrims will go to Mecca from the north-eastern states, barring Manipur this time.

Addressing the media at Haji Musafirkhana here today, Joint State Haj Committee and North East Haj Pilgrims Reception Committee chairman Nekibur Zaman said, "Haj pilgrimage was on hold in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19. This time the pilgrims comprise 2,366 males, 1,083 females and two children. The Assam Government will send 23 officials as Khadimul Hujjaj (supporting staff or guides)."

Zaman said, "Minority Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary will flag off the first flight on June 5. The reception committee will give an official see-off to the pilgrims on June 6. The State Government, as usual, will present a gamosa to each of the Hajis. Gamosa-bestrode Hajis from the state can recognize each in the sea of humanity is Mecca."

The highest number of 555 pilgrims is from Cachar, 424 from Kamrimganj, 307 from Hailakandi, 265 from Dhubri, 251 from Nagaon, 42 from Jorhat, 76 from Sivasagar, 32 from Dibrugarh, 18 from Golaghat, 20 from Tinsukia, etc. The cost of each Haji is Rs 4.39 lakh. They deposited the amount in three instalments. The Centre and the State Government will equally bear the expenditure (around Rs 1 crore) of the 23 Khadimul Hujjaj. The Hajis will go to Jeddah from Mecca and return to Guwahati from July 16-27.

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