Last flight arrives as post-hajj operation concludes: Ministry

KABUL (Pajhwok): The post-hajj flight operation was completed on Wednesday when the last flight bringing back nearly 300 pilgrims, including eight children, landed at Kabul airport.

A total of 30,316 Afghan pilgrims performed the hajj ritual this year.

The pre-hajj operation began on May 21 and ended on 22^nd of July and the post-hajj operation began on August 4 and ended today.

The pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia on 89 flights from capital Kabul, Kandahar, Balkh and Herat airports.

Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, deputy prime minister for administrative affairs, and head of the National Hajj Committee, told reporters here that the arrival of the last flight bringing back pilgrims at the Kabul airport today marked the completion of the process.

He said: “Despite some problems in the beginning, the post-hajj operation was managed in very good way.”

Hanafi did not rule out shortcomings in the pre and post hajj operations, but said the Islamic Emirate was committed to better managing the process in future.

Acting hajj and religious affairs minister Dr. Noor Mohammad Saqib welcomed the arriving pilgrims and called completion of the post-hajj flight operation a success.

“It was a heavy responsibility, but with the grace of Allah and efforts of our staff, the process was carried out smoothly.”

He said it was for the first time in the past one decade that 30,000 Afghan pilgrims were airlifted to Saudi Arabia and brought back to the country safely.

“Despite the fact that the Saudis have not recognized us officially, but they cooperated so sincerely that we felt recognized,” Saqib said.

Ijaz-ul-haq Ibrahimi, a pilgrim who returned from Saudi Arabia today, said: “The IEA served Afghan pilgrims according to their ability, there were problems in some cases but MoHRA staff managed them effectively.”

Officials said 298 pilgrims arrived on the last flight today, but did not provide details about Afghan pilgrims who died during the performance of the Hajj.

According to reports, this year 15 Afghan pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia due to various diseases and were buried in the kingdom.

kk/ma

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