Naqvi flags off first batch of Haj pilgrims from Gujrat

Ahmedabad, Aug 21 (PTI) Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvitoday flagged off the first batch of 300 Haj pilgrims fromGujarat from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel InternationalAirport here. Around 7,500 people from the state will go on thepilgrimage in separate batches. The Haj Committee hasfacilitated the travel of 1,00,020 pilgrims to Jeddah, SaudiArabia, from 21 points, an official release said. Around 36,000 pilgrims have proceeded through private touroperators, it said. The Minister of State for Minority Affairs said the holypilgrimage will spread the message of peace, prosperity andharmony in the country and across the world. "India is a very large country…the largest number of Hajpilgrims is from India. The pilgrimage is a cherished desireof every Muslim in his life time. We will continue to increasethe number of pilgrims in coming years," Naqvi said. The Minister said adequate arrangements have been made atall the 21 centres in the country as well as in Saudi Arabiato facilitate the pilgrims. Gujarat Civil Aviation minister Babubhai Bokhiria, Womenand Child Welfare minister Nirmala Wadhwani, Gujarat HajCommittee Chairman Mohammad Ali Kadri were present on theoccasion. PTI KA NRBGVSSDM