Direct Haj Flight from Mangalore from this Year

Mangalore, Sep 17 (DHNS): State Minister for Haj, Wakf and Minority Development Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan said that a direct Haj flight will be introduced from Mangalore for the convenience of pilgrims, who start their journey from Mangalore Haj Centre, this year.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, the Minister said that though a Haj flight was introduced last year, pilgrims had to face difficulties as the plane used to fly via Calicut. Hence, this year the flight will take off from Mangalore and land directly at Jeddah Airport.He said that Air India has agreed to operate direct Haj flight from Mangalore.

"Mangalore Haj Centre, which was opened with an objective of helping Haj pilgrims from Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Udupi districts had organised the pilgrimage tour successfully last year. All shortcomings will be rectified this year and pilgrimage will be made hassle-free," he said and added that a total of 7,134 pilgrims will perform Haj from the State this year.

"As many as 5,576 pilgrims chosen through draw and 708 pilgrims selected under additional quota along with 650 pilgrims selected through MP, MLA quota and 166 selected under additional quota will perform the pilgrimage," he said.

A total of 7,053 people had performed the Haj from the State last year. As many as 18,000 people had applied for the Haj pilgrimage this year, he said adding that the government will try to accommodate more pilgrims in future.

State Haj Committee President Mohammed Gaus Pasha said that health check up camps will be organised at Yenepoya Hospital, Kodialbail in the City on September 27 and the camp for pilgrims of Udupi district will be held at the Halima Sabju Auditorium at Udyavara near Udupi on September 28. He said that anti-meningitis vaccine will be administered to pilgrims during the camp.

He informed that this year onwards, one selected pilgrim can take their five or more female kin kin for the Haj along with them. "A pilgrim, who was given opportunity to perform Haj through the Haj Centre, will not be allowed to take part in the pilgrimage for another five years," he said.

Haj Ghar

A Haj Ghar will be constructed on a 3.5 acres land at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore at Hegade Nagar near Devanahalli Airport in Bangalore soon, Minister said. "The government has already agreed to release Rs 10 crore. Haj Ghar will also have a marriage auditorium and a shopping complex," he said.Talking about the Ayodhya issue, Khan said that people need not be apprehensive about the verdict on issue as the verdict will not create at tension in the nation.