Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh and Minorities Welfare Minister Antar Singh Arya gave send-off to 257 Haj pilgrims at Raja Bhoj airport here on Wednesday.
Wishing successful journey, Gen Singh urged pilgrims to take care of themselves and complete the journey with patience and convenience.
He said that entire country’s image is associated with them. During journey, Haj pilgrims should exercise self-restraint and solve petty issues with love.
General Singh said that every possible effort has been made to ensure that journey is pleasant and easy.
In case of any difficulty, they should tell people appointed by the country there to serve them. State BJP President Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan was also present on the occasion.
Minorities Welfare Minister Arya said that training about Makkah-Madina’s rules, Haj rituals, health etc has been imparted to pilgrims in all districts.
So far, Haj pilgrims have been embarking on pilgrimage from temporary Haj House. Through efforts of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, construction of Haj House is nearing completion at Bhopal and process of Haj House at Indore will be undertaken soon. Arya informed last batch of 266 Haj pilgrims will depart from Bhopal tomorrow.
Madhya Pradesh Haj Committee’s President Inayat Hussain Qureshi while expressing gratitude towards MoS for External Affairs said that through his assistance Saudi Arabia’s better flight ‘Naz’ has been available for Haj pilgrims.
This year, 2 new facilities have been provided to Haj pilgrims including better suitcase and facility of sacrifice. Madarsa Board’s former Chairman Rizwan Ansari, Hidayatullah Shaikh and Haj Committee member Mehndi Hasan were also present. Programme was conducted by Member Secretary Dawood Ahmed Khan.
Gen VK Singh and labour Minister Arya inspected arrangements at state hangar regarding Prime Minister’s arrival to attend 10th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan.