DUSHANBE, December 25, Asia-Plus – On Saturday December 23, the last group of Tajik Hajjis (pilgrims) numbering 623 В were carried by three flights to Jeddah, which is the principle gateway to Mecca, the holiest city of Islam.
Rustam Rustamov, deputy head of the TajikAir (national air carrier) resources management unit, told Asia-Plus that TajikAir had operate 28 flights to Jeddah to carry 4,623 Tajik Hajjis in Jeddah.
According to Rustamov, Tajik Hajjis will start returning home on January 5, 2007.
Under a quota allotted by Saudi Arabia, 3,600 people from Tajikistan made the Hajj to Mecca in early 2006. This time, there were no restrictions on the number of pilgrims and anyone over the age of 18 who wishes might make the journey. The Hajj, a journey to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, is one of the five pillars of Islam.
