The first Somali pilgrims were officially bid farewell today at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport as they set off to perform this year’s Hajj.
The farewell ceremony was inaugurated by the Minister of Religious Affairs and Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtaar Robow, who officially opened the first flights that took Somali pilgrims out of the country.
According to the Ministry, a total of 432 pilgrims departed today, flying from Mogadishu and Hargeisa.
Minister Mukhtaar Robow said that many problems that Somali pilgrims had faced in the past have been resolved this year, noting that progress has been made in the procedures for providing services to pilgrims.
He also pointed out that changes have been made to the slaughtering system in the Udhyadda, with a private company assigned to the Saudi government for this task, while bus transportation for pilgrims has also been simplified.
The minister said that the funds related to the services of the Masjarra this year will be managed directly and borne by the Saudi government.
These first flights are part of this year’s activities to evacuate Somali pilgrims to the holy sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.