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Tag: Hajj

  • Hajj: 4,155 kaduna pilgrims return home

    Hajj: 4,155 kaduna pilgrims return home

    Hajj 4,155 The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Board on Thursday, said a total of 4,155 of its pilgrims have so far returned home.

    The Board Public Relation officer, Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an telephone interview in Kaduna, that the pilgrims were transported back home in eight flights.

    Abdullahi said the 9th batch with 218 pilgrims returned early Thursday morning via Med-view airline.

    “Med-view airline is allotted 2,776 pilgrims from the state to be transported back home.

    “Max – airline has however completed transporting back home the 3,937 pilgrims allotted to them.

    “Max Air and Med-view are the official airlines that were engaged in transporting pilgrims from Kaduna State back home,” Abdullahi said.

    NAN reports that 6,713 pilgrims performed the 2017 Hajj from Kaduna State.

  • ‘NAHCON begins preparations for 2018 hajj’

    ‘NAHCON begins preparations for 2018 hajj’

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON ) says it has commenced preparation for the 2018 Hajj.

    The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad made the disclosure at an interactive session and dinner with members of the 2017 Hajj Media Team on Thursday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Muhammad said that the commission had already sent a team, headed by the Consul General, to negotiate price of accommodation in Madinah to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims are lodged close to the Prophet Mosque.

    “To this end, the Commission has sent a delegation to Madina to prepare ground for the negotiation of a comprehensive package for pilgrims coming for the hajj next year and their stay in the holy city of Madina.”

    He said the commission and State Pilgrims Welfare Boards have also  started mapping out strategies and modalities to have a unified accommodation system in both Makkah and Madinah next year.

    The Chairman further stated that from next Hajj, the Commission would work to simplify information gathering, sharing and dissemination amongst the states and the National Media Team.

    The NAHCON boss thanked members of the Media Team for the way they carried out their assignment and urged the members to continue to verify the veracity of any information before going to press.

    He said that the ongoing transportation of pilgrims back home had been going on smoothly without any hitch so far, adding that no fewer than 14,000 pilgrims had been transported back to Nigeria.

    He implored all Nigerians to fervently pray for the country to overcome its present trying period and a resounding good health and wisdom for leaders, particularly President Muhammadu Bihari.

    Responding, the Chairman of the Media Team, Alhaji Ubale Musa commended NAHCON for its foresight in forming the Media Team to cover the just concluded exercise.

    Musa said that the inclusion  of competent journalists in the team had ensured adequate dissemination of information on the conduct exercise.

  • Hajj: NAHCON transports 6,090 pilgrims back to Nigeria

    Hajj: NAHCON transports 6,090 pilgrims back to Nigeria

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON ) has so far transported 6,090 Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia  to Nigeria in about 14 return flights.

    The pilgrims took off from the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.

    Statistics released from the Command and Control Centre of the Commission in Jeddah on Sunday showed that 550 Sokoto State pilgrims with nine officials departed Jeddah Airport to Sokoto on Sunday.

    The ongoing hajj transportation exercise is being carried out by two out of three approved airlines: Max Air Ltd. and Flynas, a Saudi designated carrier.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise which started on Sept. 6 is going on smoothly.

    NAN also reports that the exercise is scheduled to end on Oct. 5, however, if the tempo is maintained and without any hitches, it might be concluded before the deadline.

    Meanwhile, NAHCON Management staff, some Board members, Nigerian Embassy and Consulate officials have been visiting houses where State and Tour Operators’ pilgrims are accommodated to ascertain the condition of the faithful.

    Addressing the pilgrims, NAHCON Commissioner of Operation, Alhaji Abdullahi Modibbo, advised them to adhere strictly to the approved 32 kilogrammes for big luggage and 8 kilogrammes for hand luggage.

    Modibbo also urged officials of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies to strictly  adhere to flight schedules.

    He also appealed to both pilgrims and officials to abide by the principle of “first-to-come, first- to -return.

  • Hajj 2017: FG scores NAHCON high 

    Hajj 2017: FG scores NAHCON high 

    The federal government has described as commendable the successful outcome of this year’s Hajj facilitated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, even as it impressed on the stakeholders the need to improve on subsequent operations.

    The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Abba Ibrahim made the commendation in a speech at the Post-Arafat Stakeholders Meeting in Makkah, in preparation for the return journey of Nigerian pilgrims, who joined millions of other Muslims in performing the just concluded Hajj exercise.

    Hajiya Hadiza, represented at the occasion by Ambassador Halliru Sodangi Shu’aib said there was a remarkable improvement this year, compared to previous years, in Hajj administration.

    According to her, the successes recorded this year should serve as a springboard for better services in the coming year.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Barrister Abdullah Muhammad Mukhtar, while attributing the success to divine intervention, however,  commended the Saudi authorities, State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, stakeholders, the pilgrims for playing their part.

    He also commended the Nigerian Embassy, Consulate and NAHCON management staff for their remarkable sense of humility and service to Allah, especially their decision to share their facilities at Masha’ir with some stranded pilgrims.

    The NAHCON boss while acknowledging the challenges of shortages of facilities to pilgrims and officials, said the Nigerian resilient and perseverance nature came to the fore and with Allah’s help and guidance the challenges were overcome, or at least minimised.

    In their separate speeches at the occasion, Commissioners of Operations, Finance and Administration, Alhaji Abdullah Saleh Modibbo and Alhaji Adebayo Yusuf, gave account of their stewardship, to include, habitable accommodation, feeding and transportation which Nigerian pilgrims never had it so good in the past,  like this year, and now the timely release of the scheduled flights of all the air carriers to ensure a smooth and hitch free airlift of pilgrims back to Nigeria.

    States Welfare Boards spokesperson Alhaji Abu Rimi who also gave thumbs up to NAHCON for this year’s Hajj arrangements, however, advised that some critical aspects, such as Glucometers should be sufficiently available in future Hajj operations.

    The Air carries representative and Managing Director of MedView Airline, Alhaji Munnir Bankole has hinted that the return journey was the most challenging aspect of the airlift exercise.

    He therefore, advised that state pilgrims officials should ensure that any set of pilgrims for the next flight should be made ready seventy two hours before their departure time.

    Tour operators decried the unpleasant challenges they faced this year, which were somehow tackled but had left a bitter taste in the mouth that required going back to the drawing board to take stock and map out strategies against reoccurrence.

    It could be recalled that the homeward journey is expected to start from tomorrow with the movement of Gombe State pilgrims to King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah for take off on Thursday, September the seventh.

    Meanwhile, to ensure a smooth operation of next year’s Hajj, NAHCON has since constituted a technical working committee with the mandate to secure halls of residence among others.

    Barr. Mukhtar who gave this hint said, this was inevitable in the interest of the pilgrims.

  • NAHCON advocates global discussion on hajj quota

    NAHCON advocates global discussion on hajj quota

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON ) has advocated global discussion on hajj quota to ensure effective utilisation of facilities in Muna and Arafat.

    The Executive Chairman, NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, made the call during the 2017 post Arafat meeting with stakeholders in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Read also: Hajj : No state can surpass Lagos, says NAHCON

    Muhammad said the call became necessary because of the challenges experienced during core hajj activities in Muna and Arafat.

    He stressed the need for all hajj participants to come together to address the challenges and proffer a lasting solution.

    The NAHCON boss, who commended the Saudi Authority for organising excellent Hajj, also applauded the Nigerian pilgrims for exhibiting good behaviour before, during and after hajj rites.

    He promised to take action against Tour Operators, who abandoned their pilgrims in Makkah and Madina, adding that the commission would not do everything possible to ensure a successful Hajj.

    He expressed sadness over the demised of 14 Nigerian pilgrims, including the Legal Adviser of the commission and pray to Allah to grant them eternal rest.

    Muhammad disclosed that arrangement had been concluded to commence transportation of pilgrims back to Nigeria.

    He added that Gombe, FCT and Ogun pilgrims would be first to be transported on Sept. 7.

    The Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, Amb Muhammad Yunusa, who said that no Nigerian pilgrims was arrested with any drugs, commended NAHCON for ensuring sustain campaign against drugs trafficking.

    Yunusa called on states’ Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies to educate their drivers on road traffic regulations to avoid road traffic violation.

    The Secretary of NAHCON, Dr Bello Tambuwal, announced that the Saudi Authority had given 20, 000 Saudi Riyals to two Nigerian pilgrims that were manhandled by its security agent.

    He explained that the money had since been delivered to the beneficiaries.

  • Hajj : No state can surpass Lagos, says NAHCON

    Hajj : No state can surpass Lagos, says NAHCON

    Lagos State maintained her ‘Centre of Excellence’ status when the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) inspection team stormed the state’s pilgrims’ tent in Mina, Saudi Arabia at the weekend.

    NAHCON officials, led by Commissioner for Operations Alhaji Abdullahi Saleh, said they were impressed by the pilgrims’ comportment and perseverance despite the overcrowding caused by shortages of tents in the city.

    In Mina, 2,332 Lagos pilgrims were allocated tents meant for less than 1,400 persons.

    The NAHCON team also marvelled at the facilities provided by the Lagos State Government for its pilgrims in Mina. They said the quality accommodation, indigenous food and the general welfare of pilgrims were incomparable and commendable.

    One of the team members told The Nation in confidence that “no state in the country can surpass the Lagos State Government in many areas especially welfare.”

    Other members of the team nodded their heads and declared Lagos as the best.

    Last year, the Lagos State Government carted seven out of the eight awards on hajj operations.

    The awards were received by Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule at Alausa in company of Home Affairs Commissioner and Amirul Hajj, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef.

    Saleh congratulated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for provision of standard facilities during the hajj and urged pilgrims to pray for the leadership of the board.

    Another NAHCON official, Hajia Aisha Muhammad, said: “We have always been proud of Lagos State in the way they have assisted their pilgrims in terms of food, accommodation and their welfare, and of course their regular standard enlightenment programmes.

    “I want to appeal to pilgrims not to spend their money on gifts to take back home, so that they don’t get stranded. Again be mindful of the weight of the luggage you can carry on the flight, bearing in mind that the big bag is 32kg while the small bag is eight (8)kg. Anything above that will not be tolerated. This directive is neither from the Commission nor the Board. It is from the Saudi Authority. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you that they can wave it. We on our part are happy with Lagos State and on behalf of the Commission, we commend your efforts,” she said.

    Dr AbdulLateef explained that the feat recorded by the state was due to unwavering support of Governor Ambode, who he said is passionate about the welfare and safety of Lagosians wherever they are.

    “Our pilgrims in appreciating the governor’s gesture held special prayers for him, his deputy, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari at Arafah,” he said.

    He urged NAHCON to ensure that adequate space that would accommodate the state’s pilgrims is provided in subsequent hajj operations.

  • Excitements as Nigerian pilgrims visit Mount Arafat

    Excitements as Nigerian pilgrims visit Mount Arafat

    •Death toll now seven

    Over 80,000 Nigerians on pilgrimage to Mecca arrived the plains of mount Arafat in the early hours of Wednesday to perform the most important rites for the 2017 Hajj.

    Substantial number of Nigerian pilgrims began the movement to the plains after the combination of Zuhr and Asr prayers.

    Confirming this development, an elated Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Barrister Abdullah Muhammad Mukhtar said the near hitch free exercise so far recorded was as a result of careful planning on the part of NAHCON as a regulator working with other stakeholders.

    He was however quick to add the Commission has been able to contain some of the challenges that encumbered the Hajj operations with the help of Saudi authorities.

    Specifically, he said some of the tents allocated to Nigerians were not spacious enough to provide the necessary comfort just as he observed that there have been a few hitches in the feeding arrangements. But thankfully he said most of these challenges have been addressed.

    On the number deceased Nigerians, the NAHCON boss said the death toll so far is seven in all.

    Meanwhile, NAHCON has established a dedicated helpline for Nigerian pilgrims in need of emergency respond care as follows: 92008251.

    Mukhtar enjoined pilgrims to make use of the helpline as it is been manned by NAHCON officials for 24 hours.

  • 91,000 Nigerians among 1.7m pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for Hajj

    91,000 Nigerians among 1.7m pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for Hajj

    • Kingdom expects revenues to exceed $4.2b

    NO fewer than 91,000 Nigerian pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, according to statistics by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    They are among the 1.705 million pilgrims, who are performing this year’s Hajj.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the figure by the Saudi Gazette indicated that of the number, 1.602 million came by air, 87,685 by land and 14,835 by sea.

    The figure increased by 367,095 compared to those who came in last year.

    This year pilgrimage witnessed the return of pilgrims from Shiite Iran, regional rival to Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia, as the Gulf region mired in political crisis and Islamic State group jihadists squeezed in Iraq and Syria.

    Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation, and it also provides the largest number of pilgrims for the hajj.

    The Nigerian pilgrims are presently in Makka and Madina before converging on Mina plain tomorrow for the journey to Arafat.

    A statement by the Saudi General Statistics Authority indicated that more than 51,000 personnel from 22 governmental bodies are serving pilgrims round the clock in the Holy sites.

    These services cover activities such as control and inspiration, electricity and water as well as religious, media and illumination.

    In a related development, the General Security Aviation Command had conducted aerial inspection on the movement of pilgrims between Madina and Makka.

    The command intensified aerial monitoring between the two Holy cities, while it activated the seasonal aerial command centre.

    One of the main tasks of the aerial view is to provide logistics support to the ground team.

    But, Saudi Arabia expects its Hajj revenues to exceed $4.2 billion for the season, Al Sharq Al Awsat local newspaper reported yesterday.

    A local study highlighted that the revenues are expected to jump to $5.6 billion in five years due to the ongoing increase in the expenditures of pilgrims.

    It also highlighted the importance to consider the season as a tourism industry with respect to its religious aspects.

    Pilgrims mainly spend on accommodation, transportation, food and gifts.

    Commissioner to pilgrims: keep off trouble

    LAGOS State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amirul-Hajj Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef has advised pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia to observe safety tips.

    He said it will ensure their safe return from the exercise.

    No fewer than 2,332 Lagos pilgrims are in Makkah.

    AbdulLateef, who spoke in Saudi Arabia yesterday, urged the pilgrims to be calm, patient and tolerant, especially in crowded areas.

    He said: “Your safety is important to Lagos State just as it is uppermost in the minds of your respective families at home. Therefore, follow the rules and regulations put in place by the government of Saudi Arabia, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Lagos State Government to forestall any unforeseen circumstance as the hajj rites continue.”

    AbdulLateef added: “We have organised ourselves in such a way that congestion will be avoided. We will also ensure that all the personnel that have been drafted to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims do not compromise standards.

    “We give thanks to Almighty Allah. The most paramount item on our list is the safety and welfare of our pilgrims. We want to ensure that all the 2,332 pilgrims brought to Makkah are returned home safely with acceptable hajj in line with the practice of Prophet Muhammad.”

    He hailed the medical personnel and the Ulamas (Islamic scholars) for “doing well” and providing pilgrims “with the necessary orientation and training to ensure that they remain safe and healthy while performing the hajj rites.”

    The Amirul-hajj also lauded other members of the state’s contingent for their untiring efforts to ensure that pilgrims’ desire for acceptable hajj is achieved.

  • Saudi Arabia expects Hajj revenues to exceed $4.2bn

    Saudi Arabia expects Hajj revenues to exceed $4.2bn

    Saudi Arabia expected its Hajj revenues to exceed 4.2 billion U.S. dollars for the current season, Al Sharq Al Awsat local newspaper reported on Monday.

    A local study highlighted that the revenues are expected to jump to 5.6 billion dollars in five years due to the ongoing increase in the expenditures of pilgrims.

    The study recommended benefiting from the Hajj season by attracting foreign investments.

    It also highlighted the importance to consider the season as a tourism industry with respect to its religious aspects.

    Pilgrims mainly spend on accommodation, transportation, food and gifts.

    NAN reports that Saudi authorites say two million Muslims from across the globe are converging on Makkah for the hajj pilgrimage, a religious duty and for some pilgrims the journey of a lifetime.

    This year sees the return of pilgrims from Shiite Iran, regional rival to Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia, and comes with the Gulf mired in political crisis and Islamic State group jihadists squeezed in Iraq and Syria.

    Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation, and it also provides the largest number of pilgrims for the hajj.

    NAN also reports that Saudi Arabia said the Hajj 2016 received 1.8 million pilgrims.

    The General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia said that the 2017 Hajj has seen a total of 1,862,909 pilgrims, of whom 1,325,372 pilgrims came from outside Saudi Arabia, while the total pilgrims inside totaled 537,537 pilgrims.

  • 4,026 Katsina pilgrims perform lesser Hajj in Makkah

    4,026 Katsina pilgrims perform lesser Hajj in Makkah

    A total of 4,026  pilgrims from Katsina State have left Madina for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, where they performed the lesser Hajj.

    The Coordinator of the State’s Pilgrims Welfare Board in Madina, Alhaji Aminu Sanyina, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Madina.

    Sanyina said that the pilgrims were expected to be moved to Muna on Dhul-Hajji 8, 1438 AH (the twelve month of Islamic calendar) for the commencement of the Hajj rites, proper.

    He commended the good conduct exhibited by the pilgrims  during their stay in Madina and urged them to behave likewise in Makkah.

    NAN reports that the pilgrims usually go to Madina to visit the Prophet’s mosque where His grave is and the Baqe’ah graveyard where His wives and companions were buried.

    Other places of visit are the Mosque of Quba’, which is the first Mosque built in Islam.

    It is also recommended for a pilgrim to pray and supplicate in Quba Mosque, and the last place of visit are the graves of the martyrs of ‘Uhud’.

    The ‘Uhud’ is a big mountain in Madina where the Prophet and His companions fought a battle and over 40 companions were martyred there.(NAN)