Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir leave for Jeddah

Over 300 people in Jammu and Kashmir left for a Haj pilgrimage for Jeddah on Thursday, as their relatives thronged the bus stand in Bhaderwah to see off their loved ones. The Holy Quran directs Muslim faithful to perform the Haj at least once during their lifetime. "Our people are going for the Haj pilgrimage, and they have gathered here today. They are leaving after saying their prayers, "said Ghulam Nabi, a local. "I wish a safe journey to those who are going for the pilgrimage, "said Imtiyaz, another local. The first batch of pilgrims left from Srinagar and New Delhi last month. Every year, over 70,000 pilgrims from India visit Mecca to perform the Haj. Over two million pilgrims undertake the journey each year from all over the world. Indian government provides a travel subsidy of 20,000 rupees (416 US dollars) to every pilgrim. The Haj involves week long celebrations and takes place seventy days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It includes several ceremonies all of which symbolise the essential concepts of the Islamic faith. Mecca is the place where Prophet Mohammed propagated Islam.

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