Pre-Hajj flight operation to complete on Nov 21

ISLAMABAD, The month long pre-Hajj flight operation that started on October 21 to airlift around 160,000 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia by Pakistan International Airlines and Saudi Airlines would complete on November 21. "PIA would complete its first phase of Hajj operation on November 21, while Saudi Airlines is likely to operate a few special flights to facilitate those who could not contact the Ministry for their timely departure," official sources told APP Thursday. Nearly three million Muslims from all over the world would gather in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on Friday to perform Hajj, which is considered the biggest congregation in the world. They expressed complete satisfaction over smooth conduct of the operation that is now almost in final phase. While, the one month post-Hajj operation would also be completed in the same manner, they said confidently. The post-Hajj flight operation would start on December 2 that will continue till January 2. Giving reason for smooth and timely completion of the operation, they said the Ministry had announced the new Hajj policy well before time and all necessary arrangements were made ahead of schedule. They said the Ministry had arranged extensive Hajj training programmes throughout the country to impart education to the pilgrims and make them familiar with Hajj rituals to be performed during Hajj. At centres, they said training was imparted with the help of models, charts, maps, sketches, lectures, VCRs and television. "The intending Hajj pilgrims were taught that how to wear `Ahram' and observe sanctity of the holy places besides performing rituals at Madina and manner of offering prayers at Masjid-e-Nabvi and `Salam' at `Roza-e-Rasool (Peace Be Upon Him)," they added. They said informative booklets, Hajj literature were distributed among Hujjaj free of cost, while video cassettes facility was also provided to teach them how they would perform Hajj rituals.