JEDDAH: The first batch of Sri Lankan group comprising 241 pilgrims arrived by Saudi Arabian Airlines at the Haj Terminal of King Abdul Aziz International Airport here over the weekend.
“My life’s ambition is fulfilled,” said Muhammad Nijar, leader of the group transported by Kara Haj operator, on arrival. Many other pilgrims in the batch echoed Nijar’s statement saying they saved the money over some years to undertake the annual pilgrimage.
Sri Lankan Ambassador Mohamed Ageed Mohammed Marleen and Consul General Abdul Latiff Mohamed Lafeer received the group. A medical team comprising three doctors and four paramedics arrived from Colombo yesterday to take care of the health of pilgrims.
The first batch is part of the 5,300 pilgrims who will be performing Haj this year, the consul general told Arab News. Aside from Saudia, SriLankan Airlines and some Gulf-based carriers are transporting the pilgrims.
The island state’s Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzi, who is also in-charge of some other portfolios including the Ministry of Haj and its Department of Muslim Cultural Affairs, will be heading an eight-member goodwill Haj delegation on Dec. 2, which will mark the last incoming Haj flight from Colombo. The pilgrims will be transported back home after the annual pilgrimage from Dec. 13.
All the pilgrims are coming under the arrangements made by the Department of Muslim Cultural Affairs in cooperation with 62 licensed tour operators, Lafeer said, adding that the licenses of three other Haj operators in Colombo had been canceled due to their malpractices last year.
“The vigilance department of the Ministry of Haj has been actively supervising the work of the Haj operators and it continuously monitored the work of the Haj operators, which helped in controlling their malpractices,” he added.
Lafeer said it was due to Fowzi’s efforts that the cost of this year’s pilgrimage had been brought down to affordable levels despite the financial crisis and the fluctuations in exchange rates.
