About 3,700 intending pilgrims have been successfully airlifted to Saudi Arabia in 12 fights, the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, has disclosed.

The airlift of the intending pilgrims began last Wednesday, with an inaugural flight officially flagged off by the state government.

Pilgrims from several local government areas in the state included Giwa, Ikara, Kauru, Jaba, Makarfi, Kaduna South, Kaura, Lere, Kudan, Sanga, Kubau, Zangon Kataf, and Zaria were flown directly to Madinah.

The pilgrims are expected to spend four days in the holy city, where they will visit the Prophet’s Mosque and other sacred Islamic sites before continuing to Makkah.

The Emir of Kauru, Alhaji Yau Shehu Usman, is leading the Kaduna delegation.

Malam Kasim Aminu, a member of the Kaduna contingent from Madinah, confirmed that all pilgrims are in good health and high spirits as they commence their spiritual journey.

He explained that the pilgrims have now begun departing Madinah for Makkah after completing their scheduled four-day stay.

“The first group from Kaduna has already arrived in Makkah”, he said, adding that they are receiving an emotional “red carpet welcome that brought many to tears”.

So far, 910 Kaduna pilgrims have successfully relocated to Makkah in preparation for the main Hajj rites, which are expected to begin early next month.