New Delhi [India], May 9 (ANI): This year's first flight carrying Haj pilgrims will depart for Madinah at 2:20 am from Delhi's IGI airport on Thursday.

"Today, the first flight of Haj 2024 will depart for Madinah at 2:20 am in the morning (May 9) with 285 people onboard. I congratulate all of them," Delhi State Haj committee chairperson Kausar Jahan told ANI.

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Kausar Jahan said that from the Delhi embarkation point, 16,500 pilgrims will leave for Haj Yatra this year.

On Tuesday, Muktesh K Pardeshi, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) conducted a review of preparations for Haj 2024 in Jeddah and Madinah.

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Pardeshi held a meeting with Saudi Arabia's Vice Haj Minister Abdul Fattah Mashat and discussed logistical arrangements and infrastructure developments aimed at the welfare and comfort of pilgrims.

Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia stated, "Shri Muktesh Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV&OIA) had a fruitful meeting with Vice Haj Minister, HE Dr. Abdul-Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat in Jeddah today. They reviewed the preparations of the forthcoming Haj with a focus on providing the best services to the Indian pilgrims."

Muktesh K Pardeshi was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from May 4-7 aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. Notably, a total of 175,025 Indian pilgrims in 2024 will visit Saudi Arabia under the 2024 Hajj quota. (ANI)

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