Over 600 Hajj pilgrims depart from J-K for Saudi Arabia

Over 600 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir embarked on Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. The first batch of 642 pilgrims departed on two flights, with more than 7,000 expected to participate this year. Emotional scenes unfolded at the Hajj House as loved ones bid farewell to the departing pilgrims. Hajj is a fundamental pillar of Islam and an annual pilgrimage for Muslims worldwide.

The first batch of over 600 Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir left for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, officials said.

They said 642 pilgrims on board two flights were headed for the 40-day pilgrimage to the Islamic pilgrimage sites in Mecca and Medina.

More than 7,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to perform the pilgrimage this year, the officials said.

Emotional scenes were witnessed at the Hajj House in Srinagar as relatives bid adieu to the pilgrims.

Hajj is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam and the annual pilgrimage is undertaken by Muslims the world over.