By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Kozhikode: The first team of Hajj pilgrims from Lakshadweep reached Beypore in Kozhikode yesterday. The team 25 persons from Minikkoy, Agathi and Amini islands reached at around 11 am. Meanwhile, several trains have been allowed a temporary stop at the Feroke Railway station to help the pilgrims.
The team of eight from Minikkoy came by the ship MV Minikkoy, and those from Agathi and Amini islands came by the ship MV Amin Divi. The pilgrims were received by the Kerala Hajj Committee chairman PTA Raheem (MLA), Qazi of Beypore PT Abdul Qader Musliyar, Lakshadweep state Hajj Committee chairman KM Syed Muhammed, two members each of the Kerala and Lakshadweep Hajj Committees, Port Officer, police officers from Beypore etc. The Hajis were then taken to Kozhikode.
The Hajis are reported to go to Makkah on October 31 after all pilgrims from the Island reach Kerala. They will reach the Hajj Camp on 29th. The Hajis from the Anthroth Island are expected to arrive today. Besides the pilgrims, there are three more including a volunteer in the team. All will reach Beypore by tomorrow. Only 62 persons are going for Hajj this year from Lakshadweep, while 582 persons had applied. There are also reports that 180 persons more have been selected for Hajj and they too could go if their visas get stamped by October 27. However, the number of pilgrims of this year is far less than the previous years when around 300 used to go for Hajj every year.
The temporary stop allowed for several trains at the Feroke Railway Station from October 23 to November 3 is really supposed to help the pilgrims a lot. The train will be stopped there for three minutes. It will be easier for the Hajis coming in trains to go to the airport and Hajj Camp.