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| Wednesday, 7 January 2004 |
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by Mohammed Rasooldeen from Riyadh The first batch of the Sri Lankan Haj pilgrims arrived here Sunday afternoon at the Haj Terminal in Jeddah. The Sri Lankan ambassador, Ibrahim Sahib Ansar, the Consul General Abdul Cader Mohammed Ibrahim and officials from the Hah ministry and from the Saudi Arabian Airlines were present to receive the 132 pilgrims from Colombo. On arrival the Hajis were greeted by the embassy officials and they were served with refreshments at the airport. Mohammed Ibrahim from Kinniya 85 was the eldest pilgrim in the group. A total of 6,000 Hajis in 71 groups are slated to come to the Kingdom during this season. The Royall Saudi Arabian Airlines will carry 3,700 pilgrims while the balance will be ferried by SriLankan Airlines, Jordanian airlines, Kuwait Airways, Emirates and Quatar Airways. SriLankan Hajis are expected to arrive here till January 24. This year the Haj delegation will be headed by the Minister of Cooperative, A.R.M.A. Cader on behalf of the Ministry of Muslim Religious Affairs in Colombo. Speaking to Daily News, Ambassador Ansar said that this year he had made special arrangements to look after the interests of the Hajis at all important points such as Mccca, Medinah and Mina. A medical team comprising Dr. Haroon, Dr. Aliyar and Dr. Mohamed will accompany the Hajis to offer medical treatment wherever necessary. Ceylon House in Mccca will be the coordinating centre for the Colombo pilgrims. The medical team will also be housed in the Ceylon House. Consul General Ibrahim said that the whole Haj operations would be done under the direct supervision of the island ambassador Ansar. He further noted that the embassy officials would be available for Haj services round the clock. |
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