Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Oct.31 / Trend, H. Hasanov /
Turkmen pilgrims have set off for the most holy of Muslim places, Mecca and Medina on a special flight arranged by the State National Service Turkmen Hova Yullari.
The Turkmen president's Council for Religious Affairs said that over the years of independence, thousands of compatriots have been able to perform the Hajj, worship the Kaaba and carry out all the Kurban Bayram rites. The state has been sponsoring pilgrims' journeys to Mecca since 2001.
Upon arrival in Mecca, the pilgrims will perform all required rites of Hajj, before leaving for Medina and visit the final resting place of Prophet Muhammad and his associates.