ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The first group of pilgrims from the Kurdistan Region departed for this year’s Hajj season on Thursday through Erbil International Airport, beginning a series of flights that will continue until mid-May.
Karwan Stuni, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region’s Hajj and Umrah Directorate, told Rudaw that the first flight departed at 9:30 am local time carrying 147 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Stuni said a second batch of 147 pilgrims is scheduled to depart before midnight from the same airport, adding that the process will continue until May 17.
A total of 5,120 pilgrims from the Kurdistan Region are set to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year. Authorities have assigned 105 companies to oversee transportation and services for the pilgrims, with each company responsible for 49 people.
According to the Hajj Directorate, the transportation plan includes 33 flights. Most aircraft will carry 147 passengers, while some larger planes will accommodate up to 245 pilgrims.
Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is mandatory for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey.
The annual pilgrimage takes place from the 8th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar and requires pilgrims to arrive in advance for preparations in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Nahro Mohammed contributed to this article from Erbil, Kurdistan Region.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment