Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 18 

Hundreds of pilgrims from Kashmir departed for Saudi Arabia on Friday to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with emotional scenes unfolding as families gathered to bid farewell at a departure centre in Srinagar.

Relatives assembled before dawn at the Hajj House in Bemina, where pilgrims reported for processing before heading to the airport. 

Many were seen embracing family members, offering prayers and exchanging farewells ahead of the journey to Makkah, Islam’s holiest city.

“It feels like Allah has invited us to His house. We waited many years for this moment,” said an elderly pilgrim from Srinagar, moments before entering the facility.

A total of 431 pilgrims – 230 men and 201 women – were scheduled to depart on three flights from Srinagar International Airport on the first day of operations, officials said.

The flights mark the start of a larger airlift that will see 4701 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir travel to Saudi Arabia between April 18 and May 5 in 28 flights, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee.

“We have made all necessary arrangements for the comfort and convenience of pilgrims. The process has remained smooth since morning,” said Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, executive officer of the committee, citing coordinated efforts on transportation, baggage handling, medical screening and documentation.

Pilgrims were assigned staggered reporting times to manage departures. 

Authorities advised them to carry essential documents including passports, visa copies and vaccination certificates.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the airport to see off the first batch, interacting with pilgrims and wishing them a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey.

He also expressed hope that the pilgrimage would reinforce values of compassion and unity, and prayed for peace and prosperity in the region, officials said.

Senior civil and police officials, airport authorities and members of the Hajj Committee were also present during the send-off.

As the final flight departed, the crowd at the Hajj House thinned, leaving behind families returning home after seeing off loved ones on what many described as a once-in-a-lifetime journey.