Srinagar, April 24 -- Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday expressed concern over the declining number of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir undertaking Haj this year.
A total of 4,764 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are scheduled to perform Hajj this year. As one of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj holds profound significance for Muslims, and every believer aspires to undertake this sacred journey at least once in their lifetime.
The first batch of Hajj pilgrims departed from Srinagar on April 18 for Saudi Arabia. The flights will operate up to May 5 to facilitate the annual Haj pilgrimage.
Delivering his Friday sermon at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid, the Mirwaiz said J&K witnessed a low turnout of pilgrims this year, ...