By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Hyderabad: Chief Minister N. kiran Kumar Reddy flagged off the first batch of Haj pilgrims of Andhra Pradesh at a function organized in Haj House on Wednesday.
The first batch of 300 pilgrims from the state flew for Jeddah by special charted Haj flight on 8:40 p.m. from Haj terminal at Shamshabad international airport.
Chief Minister N. kiran Kumar Reddy flagging Haj pilgrimage
Chief Minister Mr. Reddy while congratulating the pilgrims asked them to remember country and state in their prayers, “It’s a matter of pride to be selected for such a holy journey, please remember people of your country and state in your prayers and pray for peace and prosperity in the nation”.
Chief minister on this occasion also assured the Hajis that he will take up the issue of charging of hefty UDF charges on pilgrims by GMR the caretaker of the airport, and if the corporate giant doesn’t agree for 50% concession, than Government will bear Rs. 955 on each Haji which will amount to Rs. 78 lakh, the extra incurred amount will be refund back to the Hajis.
Giving best wishes in Urdu Chief Minister said his Government worked seriously for the success of haj camp, he reminded that in this fiscal year, Government increased the Haj budget from 1 crore to 2 crore.
Head of Jamia Nizamia Mufti Khaleeluddin Ahmed gave a sermon on the significance of the Haj pilgrimage; Minority Affairs Minister Mohammed Ahmedullah also congratulated the pilgrims and asked Hajjis to thank Allah for choosing them for holy pilgrimage. He asked Hajjis to pray for the welfare of the state and for good life of Chief Minister.
Also present on the occasion of flagging ceremony were, chairman of state minorities commission Abid Rasool Khan, social welfare minister P. Satyanarayana, senior Congress M.P. Hanumanth Rao, former minister Mohd Fareeduddin, Wakf board chairman Afzal Biyabani, MIM MLA Virasat Rasool Khan, TDP MLA Mastan Wali, and Congress MLA Shahjahan Basha.
Prof. S.A. Shakoor special Haj officer and Abdul Hameed executive officer of Haj committee proposed the vote of thanks.
Relatives and visitors at the Haj house bid farewell to the first batch of Hajjis amidst the chanting of Talbiya, while C.M. showed the green flag to the buses carrying Hajjis to the airport.
But during this occasion neither Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy nor the other dignitaries addressed the apprehensions in the mind of many regarding absence of Haj committee during the most crucial period of its service. State Haj committee whose termed was ended on August 15th is yet to be appointed by the Government.
Nearly 8,000 pilgrims from the state and six neighboring districts of Karnataka will be making this audacious journey to the holy city of Mecca in 25 special charter flights till October 9th.