Hyderabad: The first batch of 340 pilgrims left for the holy journey of Haj 2016 through a chartered flight from the Haj Terminal of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamsabad here on Sunday.
Earlier, the Haj pilgrims were given a warm send off at Haj House in Nampally by their relatives, volunteers and officials of Telangana State Haj Committee.
The first batch of pilgrims was flagged off by Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali. Speaking on the occasion, he requested the Haj pilgrims to pray for the peace and development in the country, especially Telangana.
He also urged them to pray for good rainfall in the State. He congratulated the pilgrims for undertaking the holiest journey of their lives.
Haj Committee of India chairman Chowdhary Mahboob Ali Khaiser has appreciated the arrangements made at Hyderabad Embarkation Point.
Jamia Nizamia chief Moulana Mufti Khaleel Ahmed advised Haj pilgrims to spend all their time in prayers.
MLAs Jaffer Hussain Meraj and Amir Shakil, MLCs Mohammed Saleem and M.S.Prabhakar, HCI Member Tayyaba Afandi, Deputy Mayor Baba Fasiudddin, Minorities Welfare Department Secretary Syed Omer Jaleel and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. (INN)