Mangaluru: Karnataka State Hajj Committee will organise a farewell programme for Hajj pilgrims at Adka community hall in the Baikampady Industrial Area at 10 am on May 24. 

Ullal Dargah Samiti President Abdul Rasheed Haji said that 260 pilgrims from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu districts will depart for Hajj from the region.

Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were restrictions on the Hajj pilgrimage in 2020 and 2021. This year, the Hajj pilgrimage had begun, he said.  

Saudi Arabia’s government has allotted a fixed quota for each country. Owing to the pandemic, the quota was reduced, he told reporters. 

Earlier, the pilgrims travelled directly to Jeddah from Bengaluru and Mangaluru International Airport (MIA). This year, the pilgrims from Karnataka will have to travel from Bengaluru airport only, he said.

The programme also aims at creating awareness among pilgrims about the rules and regulations at Hajj, the rules and regulations for foreign travel and training in religious rituals, he added. 

The programme will be inaugurated by Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi. MLC B M Farooq will be present. The training will be imparted by State Hajj Committee former member K M Siddique Montugoli, said Abdul Rasheed Haji.