Srinagar, April 18 -- The first batch of Haj pilgrims departed from Srinagar for Saudi Arabia on Saturday to perform the annual pilgrimage.
The pilgrims were seen off by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the airport.
An official said that a total of 4,764 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to perform Haj this year, with the first batch of 431 pilgrims leaving from Srinagar for Medina Munawwara. On the opening day of departures, three flights would take off from Srinagar, carrying a total of 431 pilgrims, including 230 men and 201 women.
Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, holds profound significance for Muslims, and every believer cherishes the aspiration to undertake this sacred journey at least once in their lifetime.
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