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300 volunteers to help Haj pilgrims at Saudi

Volunteers from different parts of state are working for Karnataka Cultural Foundation
Last Updated 22 July 2017, 18:35 IST

As the date for Haj pilgrimage from the city draws closer – with the first batch of pilgrims set to fly from July 24 – a 300-member team of volunteers is getting ready to assist the pilgrims at Saudi Arabia.

The volunteers, belonging to Karnataka Cultural Foundation, have been involved in the task ever since the foundation was formed for the purpose four years ago.

Addressing media on Saturday, D P Yusuf Sakhafi Bythar, national president of KCF Saudi Arabia, said, “The volunteers are natives of different parts of the state, including Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan, and non-resident Kannadigas. They will help pilgrims with the logistic support and accommodation, since identifying and reaching their respective camps at Madeena, before travelling to Mecca, is a gruelling task.”

‘Well-prepared’
Bythar also claimed that the volunteers from the foundation are well-prepared to handle the situation, with their ability to communicate in multiple languages like Kannada and Malayalam.

Recognising the activities of the foundation, the Health Department at Saudi Arabia has also honoured the volunteers with certificates of appreciation.

Aiding smooth return
Bythar said, apart from helping Haj pilgrims, the foundation is involved in facilitating the smooth return of non-resident Indians in the gulf countries, by opening outpost counters. “The government of Saudi Arabia had recently announced an amnesty period of three months, allowing non-working Indians to return to their motherland. However, it is not so easy, but for the documents to be submitted to fulfil the procedures. The foundation is helping with preparing the documents to ensure speedy return of the NRIs. As many as 300 people are helped with documents till now,” he explained.

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(Published 22 July 2017, 18:35 IST)

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