Minister for Haj Affairs V. Abdurahman (far left) bidding farewell to the first batch of Haj pilgrims at Karipur on Friday night.
The first batch of Haj pilgrims from Kerala under the State Haj Committee supervision left Karipur for Jeddah in the early hours of Saturday. Air India Express flight IX 3011 took off from Karipur at 12.45 a.m. carrying 172 pilgrims. As many as 95 of them were women.
The pilgrims had reached the Haj camp at Haj House, Karipur, on Friday morning. They held the Juma prayers at the camp. Minister in charge of Haj affairs V. Abdurahiman inaugurated the camp, and bid farewell to the first batch of pilgrims.
The second Haj flight departed from Karipur at 4.30 p.m. with 87 men and 86 women on board.
Officials said there would be three Haj flights from Karipur and two from Kannur on Sunday. The flights from Karipur will be at 12.55 a.m., 8.50 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The pilgrims flying on Sunday reached the Haj camps on Saturday.
A pilgrim kissing his granddaughter before leaving for Makkah at Karipur on Friday night.
The first flight from Kannur will leave at 4 a.m. on Sunday, and the second flight will be at 7.30 p.m.
The Haj camp offers various amenities, including medical facilities and currency exchange services. Airlines operating Haj flights have imposed temporary baggage weight restrictions until Monday due to international air traffic regulations.
The Minister urged the Haj pilgrims to pray for global peace, particularly in light of escalating border tensions. He advised them to take care and precautions against extreme heat in Saudi Arabia.
Haj Committee Chairman Husain Saqafi Chullikkode presided over the inaugural function. P. Abdul Hameed, MLA, was the chief guest. Ahamed Devarkovil, MLA, T.V. Ibrahim, MLA, and P.T.A. Raheem, MLA, spoke. Syed Rasheedali Shihab led a prayer.
Published – May 10, 2025 09:03 pm IST
