Haj pilgrims begin to return

Makkah - 13 Nov 2011: The Haram Mazjid around the Holy Kaabaa in Makkah is overflowing with Haj pilgrims as they begin to return. The annual pilgrimage ended last Wednesday. Around 3 million people from all over the world had come for Haj.

'Farewell Circumambulation' around the Holy Kaabaa is the last rite before saying good bye to Makkah. Tens of thousands performed this last rite and gathered outside Kabaa, which has a capacity of two millions.

All the 176 gates, including the entrances to the first and second floors of the Grand Mosque, were opened to accommodate the people who wanted to perform this ritual.

The pilgrims from India had started returning Thursday night onwards. The first Indian Haj flight of Central Haj Committee took off from Haj terminal of Jeddah King Abdul Azees International airport at 22:00 (Saudi Time) to Patna. Many more Indians are scheduled to flow back in the coming days.

About 51 Indian Haj pilgrims are continuing to take treatment in various hospitals in Makkah (35) and Mina (16), some of whom are in serious condition, said Indian Haj Consul B S Mubarak. So far, a total of 143 Indian Haj pilgrims hailing from different states have died.

Indian good-will Haj delegation, headed by Rahman Khan, the deputy chairman of Rajyasabha will be back to Delhi on 22nd of this month. The delegation did not yet decide whether or not to meet any Saudi officials.

source: TOI