The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has transported no fewer than 43,817 Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 104 flight operations.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, NAHCON’s Coordinator for Madinah, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahmud called on all Nigerian pilgrims to be law-abiding while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and avoid anything capable of tarnishing the image of Nigeria.
He revealed that the commission, in collaboration with states pilgrims boards and agencies mobilised Islamic clerics that would educate and guide pilgrims on what was expected of them at every stage.
According to him, at every stage of the Hajj rites, clerics are well-stationed to ensure that pilgrims perform the religious obligation in accordance with the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
“Similarly, when we go to Makkah, we have a committee called the Trajuddiyya that will guide pilgrims throughout the period of core Hajj rituals.
“The committee will make sure that no pilgrim is left in Munah on the day of Arafat and after the Arafat, they will ensure that all pilgrims move to Muzdalifah and from there they will guide pilgrims on how to go to Jamrat and do the symbolic devil stoning”, Mahmud said.
Meanwhile, Lagos State has rescheduled the ongoing airlifting of its intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 14th and 15th June.
Addressing the yet-to-be-airlifted intending pilgrims at the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday, state’s immediate past Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi reiterated that the initial dates given by Flynas Airline for the airlifting exercise, was between 4th and 17th June.
The former Commissioner explained further that the state was privileged to kick-start its airlifting early on Thursday, 1st June because the states that were originally scheduled for airlifting between 1st and 3rd June were not ready to airlift their pilgrims. He said that Lagos State therefore made use of the opportunity when approached by the airline.
He added that the affected states are now ready to airlift their intending pilgrims between 10th and 13th June.
Elegushi noted that Lagos has been able to airlift 3,110 intending pilgrims out of a total allocation of 3,644 to Saudi Arabia since the commencement of the airlifting exercise, adding that amongst the 36 states in Nigeria including the FCT, Lagos is the first to have accomplished such a feat.
While assuring the few remaining intending pilgrims that they would be airlifted as rescheduled, Elegushi urged them not to be discouraged but to take the situation as the Will of Almighty Allah. He also enjoined them to return to their respective homes to enjoy the company of their families and await further announcements in due course.
He tendered an unreserved apology on behalf of the state for any inconveniences the situation might have caused them.
Elegushi was joined at the briefing by the former Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; a Board member, Hon. Lolade Shonibare; and the Board Secretary, Mr. Saheed Onipede, amongst others.
