Friday, 20 September 2013 11:06
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The first Haj flight of Sri Lankan pilgrims was welcomed by Sri Lankan Ambassador Vadivel Krishnamoorthy, Consul General Adambawa Uthumalebbe and other Haj officials on Friday at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
This year a total of 2,240 Sri Lankan pilgrims will perform Haj. On Saturday 175 pilgrims have arrived, 200 arrived on Sunday and the rest will arrive by 9 October on flights by Sri Lankan Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Uthumalebbe told Arab News that this year a medical team of four doctors with five assistants are included.
They will facilitate Sri Lankan pilgrims who need medical treatment during Haj. The consulate in Jeddah will hire 25 volunteers to guide and help the pilgrims during Haj rituals.
Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzi, Director of Muslim Cultural Department M. Shamil and Airport Duty Manager Saudi Arabian Airlines Duty Manger were present for the send off of the first group of Hajj pilgrims.
Pix by Kumarasiri Prasad and Ashraff.A.Samad
