New Delhi, 30 June (H.S.): The return of Haj pilgrims from Delhi and other parts of the country was successfully completed on Tuesday with the arrival of the final chartered flight from Saudi Arabia.

After the return phase of Haj 2026 began on June 2, the 54th and final chartered flight of Saudi Arabian Airlines, SV-5900, landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 3:27 a.m. on Tuesday. With its arrival, the homecoming of all 21,032 pilgrims who had departed for the annual pilgrimage from North India's largest Haj Embarkation Point was successfully concluded.

Delhi State Haj Committee Chairperson Kausar Jahan, Executive Officer Ashfaq Ahmad Arifi, Deputy Executive Officer Mohsin Ali, and other committee officials and staff welcomed the 318 pilgrims who arrived on the final flight. Officials and representatives from the airport, Saudi Arabian Airlines, and other associated agencies were also present on the occasion.

Expressing satisfaction over the peaceful and successful completion of Haj 2026, Chairperson Kausar Jahan thanked the Delhi Government, the Government of India, Delhi Airport, Saudi Arabian Airlines, and all the departments and agencies associated with the pilgrimage.

She said that despite the challenging situation in the Gulf region this year, the smooth, safe, and peaceful conduct of the Haj pilgrimage without any disruption reflected the spirit of Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Delhi State Haj Committee Executive Officer Ashfaq Ahmad Arifi said that under the Haj 2026 operation, pilgrims travelling through the committee departed between April 18 and May 20, while their return journey took place between June 2 and June 30.

He said that the 21,032 returning pilgrims belonged to 29 states and Union Territories, including 3,212 pilgrims from Delhi.

Meanwhile, even before the completion of the return phase of Haj 2026, the application process for Haj 2027 had already commenced and will remain open until July 20.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar