JEDDAH, 5 January 2003 — The Haj Terminal at King Abdul Aziz International Airport opened yesterday for the annual pilgrimage.
Haj flights and charters brought the first groups of pilgrims from different parts of the world. Several thousand were brought in by various airlines on the first day.
As they arrived, local authorities and their respective Haj mission officials gave them a ceremonious welcome.
Once the immigration and customs formalities were over, they were immediately transported by waiting buses to Makkah.
“It’s taken less than an hour for me to get into the bus for my onward journey to Makkah,” an elderly Bangladeshi said.
“I had heard of stories back home about how the waiting time at the terminal took several hours in the past. Not any more,” said Muhammad Bhuiyan.
“I’m happy to be performing Haj, which has been my dream all these years,” he added.
More than 270 Bangladeshis formed the first group. They are part of an estimated 25,000 Bangladeshis who will take part in the annual pilgrimage this year.
Bangladeshi Ambassador Khwaja Sharjil Hassan and Acting Consul General Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan received the pilgrims on arrival in Jeddah. During a brief ceremony at the airport, the ambassador urged the pilgrims to strictly abide by the rules and regulations related to the pilgrimage.
According to a report from Dhaka by AFP, the group was seen off by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
“I’ve come here to seek your prayers for myself, for your government, the country, its people, unity and for the peace and welfare of the world,” she told them.
“You have been able to join this journey for Haj since Allah with all His kindness has fulfilled your sincere intentions,” Zia said.
She hoped that the Haj congregation from different races and nations of the world would strengthen the bond of unity and friendship.
The prime minister joined in a special prayer before the pilgrims departed, officials said.
The first batch of Indian pilgrims arrived from Lucknow at around 9 p.m. They were received by Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad and members of the Indian Haj mission. They were given a reception at the departure point in the northern Uttar Pradesh state.
“Special steps have been taken by the Lucknow airport security to ensure smooth passage while enforcing strict vigil,” an official said.
They are among around 120,000 Indian pilgrims expected to perform Haj this year, 70,000 of them through the Central Haj Committee.
A record number of Afghan Hajis are also coming. Some 25,000 Afghans are expected to make the Haj journey.
The number represents more than double that for any previous year. “Afghanistan sends around 12,000 pilgrims every year, but this year we’ve 25,000, which is a record for us,” an Afghan official said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s first Haj flight will arrive a little after midnight tomorrow, Salim Nisar, Pakistan International Airlines’ general manager for Saudi Arabia said.
According to Nisar, a total of 125,000 Pakistanis will perform Haj this year. “The number may go up to 140,000,” he added.
