Report and pics: A M Aarif Jokatte, KSA
Jeddah, Oct 27: As soon as the first direct Air India Express flight carrying Haj pilgrims from Mangalore arrived here, India Fraternity Forum (IFF) team members accorded them a warm welcome.
The first historical direct flight from Mangalore to KSA landed at Jeddah airport at 7 pm on Sunday. It was a joyous moment for the IFF Mangalorean volunteers, who got a chance to serve the pilgrims from their home town. The immigration process took about two and half hours, since finger printing, eye scanning and related procedures were involved.
IFF volunteers helped the pilgrims in translating the Arabic language communications into local Beary and Malayalam languages, and also facilitated pilgrims to reach Holy Makkah without any hassles.
IFF has been rendering this service to the Haj pilgrims every year. Nearly a thousand volunteers from across the Kingdom take part in this operation annually.
India Fraternity Forum is an organization that is active throughout the Kingdom, which is aimed at serving the Indian expatriates in their smooth stay and functioning here.
IFF volunteers Sadiq Idya, Suhail Kandak, Nadeem and Abdul Samad escorted the pilgrims from Karnataka zone. Jeddah co-coordinator Aboobacker Kunhu also took an active part in serving the pilgrims and making them feel comfortable.