Hyderabad: The first batch consisting of 335 Haj pilgrims returned back to Hyderabad to a warm welcome at the Haj Terminal of GMR Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Haj Chartered Flight landed 40 minutes before the scheduled time. Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali received the pilgrims at the Tarmac of the airport and congratulated them on fulfilling their life time desire of performing Haj.
He expressed his happiness over the best arrangements made in the Saudi Arabia and said that all the Hajis performed hassle-free Haj in a systematic and disciplined manner.
As many as 4,900 pilgrims belonging to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka had left for pilgrimage from Hyderabad. There were two cases of natural deaths and a very few fell sick. Altogether the pilgrimage was peaceful and safe, he said.
The pilgrims after fulfilling necessary requirements came out to of the Haj Terminal to join their dear ones in an emotionally charged atmosphere.
From the Haj Terminal they returned back to their respective places, while accommodation was provided to the pilgrims of other districts at Haj House in Nampally for their short sojourn at Hyderabad.
GHMC Deputy Mayor Baba Fasihuddin, Minorities Welfare Department Secretary Syed Omar Jaleel, Haj Committee Special Officer Prof. S A Shukoor and senior officials were also present.
Meanwhile, some pilgrims faced difficulties due to breach of protocol at the airport. A few TRS leaders occupied the space meant for Haj volunteers thus preventing them from helping the returning pilgrims in handling their luggage.
As against the required 20-25 volunteers, only eight volunteers were available to help the pilgrims. Many pilgrims also could not get Zam Zam bottles as Air India did not bring the required number of bottles in the flight.
The SHC officials have lodged a complaint with the Ministry of External Affairs and Haj Committee of India against the Air India officials for lapses in their arrangements. (INN)