Six hundred and sixty-four intending pilgrims out of the 2,035 from Katsina have been airlifted to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the 2026 pilgrimage, through the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport Katsina.

The first batch of the intending pilgrims numbering about 411, comprising 283 men and 128 women, aboard a Max Air aircraft, departed for Madina on Monday.

The second flight with 253 intending pilgrims also took off to the holy land on Wednesday.

Earlier addressing the intending pilgrims, Deputy Governor Faruq Lawal-Jobe prayed for the pilgrims’ safe journey and successful return after completing the religious exercise.

He urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and adhere strictly to all rules and guidelines communicated to them during the Hajj orientation exercises.

The chairman of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Kabir Bature, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and orderly departure of the first batch of pilgrims.

Mr Bature said the board was optimistic that subsequent flights conveying pilgrims from the state would also proceed smoothly and successfully.

He added that although Hajj operations usually come with challenges every year, preparations for this year’s pilgrimage had been relatively easier due to the early measures taken by the state government and the pilgrims welfare board.

He explained that the third flight is expected to also depart Katsina at midnight, with more than 400 intending pilgrims from the state.

Aminu Wali, one of the intending pilgrims, expressed confidence that they would comply with the new measures and regulations introduced by the Saudi authorities, particularly those relating to health matters.

He said that in spite of the stringent conditions, the pilgrims were fully prepared to conduct themselves responsibly throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.

(NAN)