Ruptly
"Families gathered at the Hajj House in Srinagar to bid farewell to their loved ones as the first batch of Hajj pilgrims departed from Kashmir on Saturday. Footage shows an atmosphere filled with prayers, tears, and hope, reflecting the pilgrimage's spiritual significance. However, many families voiced concerns over rising travel costs, which have made the journey increasingly financially burdensome due to the Middle East crisis. Pilgrim Bashir Ahmad expressed his gratitude, “We are happy to perform this year’s holy pilgrimage. We will pray for world peace, especially for oppressed Muslims worldwide, and for unity among Muslims.” Firdous Ahmad Dar noted, “This year, there has been a hike in travel costs. We had to pay extra money, likely due to the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, which have raised fuel prices and affected global air travel.” For these pilgrims, the journey represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and a central pillar of Islam, as many have spent years preparing financially and spiritually for this moment. Amid tight security, Saturday saw three flights depart, carrying a total of 431 pilgrims. Hajj 2026 in Saudi Arabia is scheduled between May 25 and 30, depending on the sighting of the moon. "
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