Holy sojourn: First Hajj flights take off amid moving scenes

Pilgrims say will pray for peace and prosperity of the country.

PESHAWAR/ KARACHI: The first flights for the holy sojourn of Hajj left Karachi and Peshawar airports on Sunday.

Chants of Labaik Allahuma Labaik (Here I am oh Allah Here I am) echoed from the Hajj terminal of Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport as the pilgrims of Jeddah-bound flight entered for check-in on Sunday evening.

Emotions of elation and hope were reflecting from the faces of pilgrims and their relatives who were at the airport to see off the Hajis. There were tears and hugs, while a few people were busy giving last-minute reminders regarding the rituals of Hajj and methods of wearing the Ihram.

Members of some religious organisations that have set up their camps on the premises of the Hajj terminal were helping pilgrims in unloading their luggage from the vehicles. Volunteers of these organisations were seen inviting Hajjis for assistance at their camps in Saudi Arabia.

The private airline flight NL-1105 carrying 165 pilgrims on board took off for Jeddah at 7:20 from the Karachi airport. State Minister for Railways Abdul Hakeem Baloch came to the terminal to meet and see off the pilgrims. Talking to The Express Tribune he said it was an honour to be there. “I request the pilgrims to offer special prayers for the country,” he said.

Almost every aspiring pilgrim was worried for the law and order situation of the country and hopeful that their prayers would bring peace for the country.

Eighty-year-old Wali Mohammad of Malir dressed in sparkling white Ihram, was traveling by air for the first time in his life and was little anxious for the journey while his relatives were reminding him about the procedure for check-in. “It was my wish to perform Hajj and finally Allah has given me the chance to visit His house. I will pray for everyone I know and particularly for the peace in the city and Pakistan as well,” said Mohammad.

Subhan Nohani Baloch, another pilgrim was anxious for the country’s law and order situation. “I will pray for the peace in Pakistan. It needs our prayers and efforts for bring back its peace and prosperity,” he said talking to The Express Tribune.

Peshawar

The first Hajj flight flew from Bacha Khan International Airport to Jeddha carrying around 307 pilgrims.

Provincial Minister for Religious Affairs Habibur Rahman was at the airport to see off the pilgrims on Shaheen Air. Rahman told journalists that this year around 21,000 people will perform hajj from the province.

The first Hajj flight of national carrier Pakistan International Airlines would take 296 pilgrims on September 11.

The minister said that for security reasons all the pilgrims were told to gather at Haji Camp and then they were shifted to the airport.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2013.