Kerala - Malappuram   

State Haj camp concludes

MALAPPURAM: The Haj camp conducted by the State Haj Committee at Karipur concluded on Friday with the last flight taking off from the Calicut International Airport for Jeddah carrying 238 pilgrims at 3.45 p.m.

The 33-day camp, during which 32 chartered flights and 14 regular flights were operated to carry 9,225 pilgrims, was the longest Haj camp in the State’s history.

As many as 8,192 pilgrims of the total 9,225 who went to Makkah via Karipur were Keralites. There were 285 pilgrims from Lakshadweep, 75 from Mahe and 673 from Karnataka, said Haj Committee chairman P.T.A. Rahim.

As many as 7,422 pilgrims went to Makkah under the State Haj Committee and 770 left under the Centre’s special quota. Forty-one Hajis in the Central quota from Kerala will fly from Mumbai on Saturday.

As many as 8,911 pilgrims flew to Makkah from Karipur under different private tour operators this year.

Mr. Rahim said 214 pilgrims, though selected, did not go.

Saudi Arabian Nas Air operated 32 flights from Karipur. Air India’s 15 regular flights were also used to carry pilgrims.

The most number of pilgrims were from Kozhikode district. Pathanamthitta had the lowest representation.

“In spite of the prolonged camp, there were few complaints this year,” said Mr. Rahim.

The Hajis will return from December 3, said Mr. Rahim. Nas Air will bring pilgrims from Madeena, and Air India from Jeddah, he said.

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