Nearly a little more than a month after departure, the first batch of 401 Hajj pilgrims returned to Chennai on Sunday evening. In the Saudia Airlines which landed at 6.10 p.m., 401 pilgrims arrived at Chennai airport after completing their visit to Mecca and Medina.
Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamil Welfare Department S M Nasar who received the pilgrims said, this year, the Tamil Nadu government gave a subsidy of ₹25,000 each for eligible first-time Haj pilgrims. “This year, 5,757 persons went from the State for this pilgrimage. We made elaborate arrangements for their travel, food and accommodation and are glad the first batch of pilgrims have finished their journey safely and returned. We had coordinators or Hajj inspectors taking care of the pilgrims and guiding them through their journey,” he said.
These pilgrims left from Chennai on May 16 to Jeddah. While they spent the first leg of their journey at Mecca, the last eight days, they visited Medina.
The remaining pilgrims will begin to arrive in the city from June 24 in various flights, with the last one landing on July 9, he added.
Published – June 23, 2025 07:46 am IST
