DUSHANBE, November 27, Asia-Plus  -- The first plane of Afghan private airline KamarAir with 165 Tajik pilgrims aboard flew to Jeddah today at 2:30 a.m., Asia-Plus has learned at Tajik State Air Company TajikAir.   

The source at Tajik national air carrier said that during two weeks (from November 27 to December 11) 31 special flights will be operated to Saudi Arabia.   “Under agreement between TajikAir and Afghan private air carrier KamarAir, KamarAir’s aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD-82 and MD-83 will carry  Tajik pilgrims to Saudi Arabia,” said the source, “Planes of TajikAir will not be used for these operations.”   

Tajik pilgrims will fly to Saudi Arabia mainly from the Dushanbe airport, and only seven special flights will be operated from the Khujand airport.    

Abdusalom Rajabov, the head of the hajj and pilgrimage department at the main directorate for religious affairs (DRA) of the Ministry of Culture (MoC), said that this year, the Saudi Arabia government had allotted Tajikistan a quota of 5,000 pilgrims.  

However, 6,500 Tajik Muslims wanting to make Hajj (the holy journey to Mecca) have to date been registered with the DRA, and they have already deposited money for the journey, Rajabov said. 

Those who will not be able to make Hajj this year will have their money back or be registered for making the holy journey next year, he said.  Rajabov noted that this year, Hajj will come for Tajik Muslims to $2,580.