In a significant development, Member Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and Chairman Haj Committee Ladakh Mohd Ali Majaz Ali flagged off the first batch of Haj 2023 pilgrims from Ladakh UT. The batch comprised 350 pilgrims including Shia pilgrims who will land in Jeddah and proceed for Jofah where they will be provided special travel assistance.<br />'' <br />'' Expressing gratitude to Mohd Ali Majaz, for ensuring special arrangements, the Shia pilgrims prayed and hoped that more Shia pilgrims will opt for Haj from next year. This is for the first time that Shia pilgrims were given special flights and special arrangements. Majaz while speaking on the occasion stated that Shia pilgrims will be given special travel assistance given their different rituals from Jofah in Jeddah onwards. He said for the first time, special Muslims (clerics) were assigned the task of guiding the Shia pilgrims. <br />''