Haj important religious obligation: SM Krishna

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Tuesday said Haj is an important religious obligation for the Government of India.

During the ceremonial send off to Haj pilgrims, Krishna said: ?It gives me great pleasure to greet the pilgrims embarking on the pious pilgrimage for performing Haj this year. Government of India attaches the highest importance to facilitating this important religious obligation of our Muslim brethrens.?

?We pay close attention to the arrangements in India and in Saudi Arabia. This year, we faced some difficulties which you all aware of. I am happy to tell you ? we were able to overcome those difficulties. As a result, the preparations for the Haj pilgrimage were brought back on track well in time. It is indeed a matter of satisfaction for all concerned to see these flights leave on schedule.?

Krishna said the Ministry of External Affairs is extensively coordinating with all concerned provision and improvement of facilities for pilgrims in India and all the points in Saudi Arabia.

?I am happy to tell you that a record number of 1,25,000 Haj pilgrims will be traveling through the Haj Committee on 525 return flights. A further 45,431 pilgrims are traveling through private tour operators. Bhopal and Goa have been added as new embarkation points from this year, in addition to the existing 19,? he said.