The first lot of Haj Pilgrims from the State left for Jeddah also known as ‘Allah’s home’ on Saturday. Majority of the pilgrims were senior citizens who were seen motivating their family members for the religious trip. Most of them seemed confident despite suffering with health ailments due to their age.
Bibi Rosolla aged 60 years from Godda who left for the trip in an ailing health was seen motivating her family members on the relevance of Haj atleast for once in a lifetime. “If you are determined to visit Haj then no one in the world can stop you from fulfilling the wish,” she told her children and grandchildren.
“It is a fortune to get the chance of visiting Jeddah,” said 63 year old Sattar Mirza of Dhanbad district before leaving the Haj House for airport. Similar were the feelings of 58 year old Mehboob Alam hailing from Jharia. He said, “I am grateful to get a scope of visiting Allah’s home.”
Inspired by these pilgrims, their relatives also seemed confident. “Haj tour is considered a pure and divine moment. I wish I can also visit the shrine,” the younger sister of 59-year-old woman pilgrim said.
Citing the reason of large participation of senior citizens particularly in this trip, State Haj Committee member Wahid Khan said, “Aged people can understand and perform the rituals at Jeddah properly. This is a major reason of large participation of this age group than youngsters or children.”
“We are least concerned about security issues in Haj trips since all the precautions are taken by the Indian Government,” Khan mentioned.
It is considered that a person who visits Haj and returns home is blessed with a new life, he added.
Volunteers assisting the pilgrims at Haj House were also ‘confident’ like the latter. “Few pilgrims are unable to bear the long flight journey. They either vomit or faint. Their good health is our prime concern. We are not worried for rest of the issues,” said a male volunteer.
Notably, Cooperative and Minority Welfare Minister Haji Hussain and Veteran Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay waved the flags of buses that left from Haj House with along 239 passengers for the airport. One passenger could not make it up for Haj, said Wahid Khan.
Governor Syed Ahmed and Chief Minister Hemant Soren met the pilgrims at the Airport and conveyed their best wishes. The yearly trip for Jeddah commenced in the state from Saturday and will continue till September 26.