Mangalore: SK Bellubbi, State Minister for Haj and Wakf waved off the flag to mark the formal departure of the first batch of 220 Hajj pilgrims who took off in a flight from the Mangalore Airport on the morning of September 28, Friday.
A total of 1035 pilgrims will be on a Haj tour in five trips this time from the region. A total of 6800 Hajj pilgrims will be on Haj tour from all over the state.

The Minister who wished the Hajj pilgrims a pleasant journey said the government would be building a Haj Ghar in Bangalore at a cost of Rs 42 crore

Mangalore Old Airport has been used for Hajj camp this year.Y Mohammed Kunhi, President of Mangalore Hajj management committee, Usman Haji,President of D K district Wakf Advisory Committee, Shafi Sayed Nandavar, Member of state Wakf board, Shahul Hamid, President of Bajpe gram panchayat, MLAs B Ramanatha Rai, Abhayachandra Jain,  Moideen Bava, Congress leader were  among others were present on the occasion