Mangaluru: The first batch of Hajj pilgrimage from Mangaluru International departed to Saudi Arabia on July 24, Monday.

A farewell programme for Hajj pilgrims was organized at Ansar School in Bajpe. Khazi Twakha Ahmed Musliar presented the invocation and Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan Samyukta Khazi P M Ibrahim Musliar Bekal delivered a spiritual discourse.

Haj Minister R Roshan Baig urged the Haj pilgrims to pray for the peace and communal harmony in India in general and Karnataka in particular during their pilgrimage.

The Indian Hajj Committee had received a total of 4.48 lakh applications. Where in, Saudi Arabia has approved only for about 1.70 Lakh piligrims from India. In this, 1.25 lakh pilgrims travel through Hajj Committee and others through private agencies. Out of which 23,514 had applied in Karnataka and only 6000 will make it to the holy Hajj.

The selection and shortlisting of the final list is made on the basis of age, and for the ones who have been applying for the last three years. The rest is by pure luck as it follows a lucky draw system.

While all processes are done online, a total of 780 persons from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru will travel from Mangalore Airport.

District-in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai, Minister for Food and Civil supplies U T Khader, MLA JR Lobo, MLC Ivan Dsouza, Moideen Bawa, Committee secretary S M Rashid, member Yenepoya Muhammed Kunhi, Karnataka State Hajj Committee member K M Aboobakar Siddik Montugoli, Abhaychandra Jain and otheres were present to bid the pilgrims a safe journey.