Kashmir
*Haj 2026: Amid faith, tears and hope Kashmir’s first batch of pilgrims leaves for holy sojourn*
*Emotional scenes at Srinagar’s Hajj House as families bid farewell before devotees depart for Saudi Arabia; 3 flights carrying 431 pilgrims scheduled for today*
Srinagar, Apr 18 : Tears, prayers, and heartfelt hopes filled the air at Haj House Bemina here on Saturday morning as Kashmir’s first batch of Haj pilgrims prepared to depart for Saudi Arabia.
The departure marked the beginning of the Valley’s annual spiritual journey to Islam’s holiest sites, with families bidding an emotional farewell to their loved ones embarking on the sacred pilgrimage.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), from the early hours, hundreds of family members gathered at the busiest Haj House premises in Srinagar to bid farewell to their kith and kin and friends chosen this year for the pilgrimage.
Some embraced in silence, others raised their hands in prayer
