First batch of pilgrims return from Haj

Hyderabad, Oct 31 : The first batch of Haj pilgrims consisting of 299 pilgrims and a child returned back to Hyderabad after performing the Haj.

The Hajis were given a warm reception at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on Thursday evening by the Andhra Pradesh State Haj Committee, relatives and friends.

Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Ahmadullah, Wakf Board chairman Moulana Syed Gulam Afzal Biyabani, Minorities Welfare Commissioner Shaik Mohammed Iqbal, Haj Special Officer SA Shukoor and SHC Executive Officer Abdul Hameed received the first batch of pilgrims at the Tarmac of the airport’s Haj Terminal.

The Haj Committee made elaborate arrangements in coordination of various Government Departments and agencies.

The first batch included 200 pilgrims from Hyderabad, followed by 18 from Nizamabad, 13 from Nalagonda 10 from Ranga Reddy, 8 each from Krishna and Guntur, 7 from Karimnagar, 6 from Kurnool, 5 from Mahboobnagar, 4 each from Medak , Prakasham and West Godavari, and two each from Adilabad, East Godavari, Kadapah and Warangal districts.

The second batch of the Haj pilgrims consisting of 295 pilgrims is scheduled to return at 11: 50 PM on Thursday night, which includes 93 pilgrims from Hyderabad followed by 31 from Guntur, 26 from Krishna, 19 from Ranga Reddy, 16 from Kadapah and Nizamabad, 14 from Mahboobnagar, 12 from Prakasham, 11 each from Karimnagar and Warangal, 9 from Adilabad, 8 from East Godavari, 6 from Kurnool, 5 each from Medak, Vishakapatnam and Karnataka, and 4 each from Nalgonda and Nellore.

Altogether 7784 pilgrims from Hyderabad Embarkation point had gone for the Haj 2013, out of which four pilgrims returned back on personal grounds earlier than the scheduled arrival while five pilgrims passed away in KSA.

Out of five deceased pilgrims two each belonged to Hyderabad and Kurnool and one to Krishna district. INN