“Hajj 2025: Return of 3,606 J&K Pilgrims Begins June 17 with First Flight” : SRINAGAR: As the annual Hajj pilgrimage 2025 concludes, the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir is set to return on June 17, officials said.
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Executive Officer, JK Haj Committee, Dr Shujhat Qureshi, said the initial flight will bring back 178 pilgrims, marking the beginning of the return phase for the 3,606 pilgrims from the region who performed the pilgrimage this year.
“Everything has gone smoothly, and we did not witness any major incidents due to the heatwave or other causes, unlike last year,” he said.
Dr Qureshi confirmed that a Kashmir-based female pilgrim, who was already unwell, passed away during the pilgrimage. “She was taken to Arafat in an ambulance to complete Waqoof-e-Arafat (main farz of Hajj) and later admitted again to the Saudi National Hospital located in Mina, where she died on 12th Dhul Hijjah,” he added.
Reflecting on the overall arrangements, Dr Qureshi said, “This year’s Hajj went better than expected. The facilities provided, especially during the stay at the sacred sites, were much improved compared to last year.”
Asked about concerns raised regarding accommodation at certain locations, Dr Qureshi said the Haj Committee acted promptly. “We did issue clarifications when needed. By and large, the arrangements were good,” he said.
Dr Qureshi added that 14 pilgrims had cancelled their Hajj at the last moment.
The 2025 Hajj formally ended after pilgrims completed the ritual of stoning at the three Jamarat in Mina and then left the Tent City for Makkah to perform the final obligatory ritual, Tawaf Al-Wida (farewell Tawaf), as over 1.6 million pilgrims participated in this year’s pilgrimage.
It is pertinent to mention that due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan earlier in May, many flights were cancelled for days, resulting in delays for pilgrims heading to Makkah and Madina.
At least 2,200 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir were left stranded, prompting the J&K Haj Committee to consider operating additional flights to clear the backlog.
Meanwhile, Hajj authorities in Saudi Arabia have announced the successful conclusion of Hajj 2025, declaring it free of any security, health, or service-related incidents. (KNO)