JEDDAH, 14 December 2004 — Indian pilgrims arrived at Jeddah and Madinah airports yesterday marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season.
Three flights — from Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Kozhikode — landed at Madinah airport and two from Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir touched down at the Haj Terminal of King Abdul Aziz International Airport here. Accompanied by local Haj officials, Indian Ambassador M.O.H. Farook received the pilgrims at the Haj Terminal here and Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed at Madinah airport.
The first Indian pilgrim who landed at Madinah airport was Abha Suleman Saicha, 70, from Ahmedabad. Naseemunnisa Ahmadi, 50, and Usman Ahmad Kutty, 43, were the first to land from Hyderabad and Kozhikode flights respectively.
“As always, Indian pilgrims were the first to arrive in the Kingdom,” Sayeed told Arab News. “This is also the first time that the Indian pilgrims were flown directly to Madinah.”
The pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala will spend eight days in Madinah before proceeding to Makkah.
Madinah airport Director General Abdul Fattah Atta, Deputy Chairman of National Adilla Est. Mohammad Maslookh, Mohammad Al-Bejawi of the Ministry of Haj and Zainuddin, head of Maktabul Hind, received the pilgrims at Prince Mohammad ibn Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah.
Haj Committee of India Chairman Tanveer Ahmed, Consul (Haj) Abdul Majid Padar and Consul (Press & Information) Hifzur Rahman also were present at the Madinah airport.
“By and large, all flights landed on time,” the consul general said, adding that the first batch of 1,160 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala who landed at Madinah airport were provided accommodation at Taiba Residential Suites, which overlooks the Haram Sharif.
A full-fledged dispensary with a medical team comprising six doctors and six paramedics has been established at this complex.
