The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Hajj

  • Hajj: 4,580 Katsina pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia

    Hajj: 4,580 Katsina pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia

    A total of 4,580 Katsina State pilgrims have so far been transported to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj.

    This came less than three days to the closure of the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jedda.

    Alhaji Badaru Bello, the Spokesperson of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Madina on Thursday.

    Bello said that the pilgrims were transported by Max Air Ltd. in nine flights.

    “The ninth flight of the pilgrims numbering 554 landed in Jedda in the early hours of Thursday.

    “The Amirul-Hajj and the remaining Hajj officials will also be transported to the Holy land today (Thursday),’’ he said.

    He further said that more than 80 per cent of the pilgrims had already left Madina for Makkah where they performed lesser Hajj.

    He attributed the delay in the transportation of the pilgrims to the delay in the issuance of visa to the pilgrims by the Saudi authorities.

    “You know, no matter how you want to go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, if there is no visa, there is nothing we can do.

    “So, the delay is due to the visa problem which has been resolved.

    “But I want to assure you that we are going to meet the deadline of Aug. 26,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 4,930 pilgrims would perform the 2017 Hajj from Katsina State.

  • 4,026 Katsina pilgrims now in Saudi Arabia – Official

    4,026 Katsina pilgrims now in Saudi Arabia – Official

    A total of 4,026 Katsina State pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, spokesman of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Badaru Bello, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Madina on Monday.

    He said the pilgrims were transported to the Holy land by Max Air in eight flights, while another batch of 530 pilgrims out of the remaining 904 would depart later in the day.

    Bello disclosed that 70 per cent of the pilgrims are now in Makkah and had already performed the lesser hajj.

    He expressed satisfaction with the exercise so far, adding that all the pilgrims were in good health and performing their religious obligations.

  • Fires breaks out in Hotel in Mecca, says civil defence

    Fires breaks out in Hotel in Mecca, says civil defence

    A fire broke out in a hotel in the Saudi city of Mecca, which alarmed the annual hajj pilgrimage, the civil defence service said on Monday.

    A hotel in the Saudi city of Mecca, where two million Muslims will perform the annual hajj pilgrimage, was evacuated Monday after a fire broke out, the civil defence service said.

    Civil defence spokesman Nayef al-Sharif said no casualties were reported in the fire, which was sparked by a faulty air conditioning unit on the eighth floor of a hotel in the Azaziyah district of Mecca.

    Sharif said all 600 residents, most of whom had come from Turkey and Yemen for the hajj pilgrimage, were evacuated and have since returned to the hotel.

  • Hajj: Lagos airlifts last batch

    About 315 pilgrims on board Medveiw airline Boeing 747 have landed in Medina city of the Kingdom for Saudi Arabia yesterday.

    With this seventh flight, Lagos now has 2,333 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.

    Addressing the pilgrims before departing Lagos, Home Affairs Commissioner and the Amirul-Hajj Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef reminded the pilgrims of the spiritual importance of performing Hajj.

    The Commissioner noted that unlike other previous flights that landed in Jeddah before the pilgrims proceeded on another eight-hour journey to Medina, this batch went straight to King Abdul Azeez International Airport, Medina and from there to their respective hotels.

    The Amirul-Hajj assured pilgrims of improved welfare in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the provisions Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had put in place to ensure a hitch free exercise.

    AbdulLateef, who disclosed that one passport is yet to be released from the Saudi Arabia embassy in Abuja, said he will not leave Lagos until the pilgrim’s visa is processed.

    The Commissioner announced the Executive Secretary of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Mufutau Okoya as the leader of the seventh batch also gave his mobile number to the pilgrims to send him text messages when they have any challenge.

    Okoya identified visa increase fees as the major challenge for people who performed this year particular for pilgrims who had performed Hajj in the year 2015 or 2016.

    Female pilgrims, he said, constitute about 60 per cent of the Lagos contingent to this year’s Hajj.

     

  • 58% intending pilgrims transported – NAHCON

    58% intending pilgrims transported – NAHCON

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) said 37,388 out of the 65,271 intending Nigerian pilgrims for the 2017 hajj had been transported to Saudi Arabia as at Aug. 16.

    NAHCON’s Head Operations, Alhaji Abudullahi Modibo, disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Modibo, who presented the statistics of carrier flight performance for this year exercise, said the 37,388 represents 58 per cent of the intending pilgrims.

    He said that the remaining 27,883 (42 per cent) would be transported before Aug. 26 by four carriers NAHCON commissioned for the exercise.

    Modibbo said transportation intending pilgrims commenced in July 30, adding that the exercise would end of Aug 25 or 26.

    The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abudullahi Mohammed, said that this year hajj had been a successful exercise, so far.

    Mohammed was represented by Alhaji Yusuf Adebayo, NAHCON​Commissioner in charge of personnel, policy, management and finance.

    Mohammed further said that the commission was fully prepared for the exercise, in terms of medical treatment, transportation and accommodation of pilgrims in the Holy land, among other services.

    ” The arrangement for this year is made in a more conducive way,” he said.

    The Head of Medical Team, Dr Ibrahim Kana, said 450 medical personnel selected from all states were trained for this year hajj.

    “The team of trained health personnel arrived the Holy land, ahead of the pilgrims to set up clinic to take care of them,” Kana said.

    He stated that over 35,000 drugs had been sent for the pilgrims, adding that more drugs would soon be sent.

    Kana assured that the drugs would take care of all Nigerian pilgrims, adding that pilgrims from other countries could also benefit from the drugs.

    Kana, who is also the Chairman, Medical Team for the Hajj, identified malaria and body weakness as the major medical challenges facing pilgrims in the past five years.

    He, however, said that pilgrim would not walk far before accessing the 24-hour healthcare arranged by the commission.

  • Hajj not mere excursion

    Intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj have been advised not to see the journey as merely excursion but as a mission to worship Allah and fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.

    Al-Gafar Travel and Tours Chairman Alhaji Gafar Adele offered the advice during a seminar organised for the pilgrims traveling with the company in Ikotun.

    He said Hajj is a serious exercise that required total commitment while in Saudi Arabia so that Allah could accept it as worship from them.

    Adele enjoined the pilgrims to perform the exercise the way it was done by Prophet Muhammad during his life time.

    He warned the pilgrims not to violate Saudi Arabia laws.

    Al-Gafar travel and Tours General Manager Alhaji Sulaimon Issa advised the pilgrims against excess shopping and unnecessary luggage because they might be charged extra amount for it.

    He called them to use the opportunity to pray for themselves, their family, country and President Muhammed Buhari while in Saudi Arabia

    He assured them of best treatment by the company in Saudi Arabia with best hotel that will not be too far from Ka’aba.

  • Niger transports 2,909 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia – Official

    Niger transports 2,909 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia – Official

    Alhaji Shehu Danyaya, leader of 2017 pilgrims (amir hajj) in Niger, on Tuesday said that about 2,909 pilgrims from the state had been transported to Saudi Arabia.

    Danyaya said this in Minna during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    ‘‘They have since commenced the hajj rites with visits to some holy sites in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

    ‘‘We have set up clinics in Madina and Makka to address the health needs of our pilgrims,’’ he said.

    Danyaya expressed confidence that all the pilgrims would be transported before the closure of King Abdallah International Airport in Jeddah.

    He advised pilgrims to desist from carrying prohibited items banned by the authorities in the Saudi Arabian Kingdom.

    Danyaya warned that any pilgrim caught with banned items like kola nut and drugs would face the full weight of the law.

  • 1,100 Taraba pilgrims to depart for Saudi Arabia on Thursday – Official

    1,100 Taraba pilgrims to depart for Saudi Arabia on Thursday – Official

    A total of 1,100 intending pilgrims from Taraba will commence their journey to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj on Thursday, Executive Secretary of the state Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Alhaji Umaru Leme, has said.

    Leme told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo on Monday that 177 of the pilgrims were sponsored by the state government and 37 by local councils.

    According to him, the state governor, Mr Darius Ishaku has appointed the Lamido Gashaka, Alhaji Zubairu Sambo as leader of the state contingent for the pilgrimage.

    He disclosed that the state government had released N310 million to the board to ensure successful hajj operation.

    Leme said that 1,100 passports for the intending pilgrims had been processed, and assured that all the pilgrims would be transported before the end of August.

    He further assured that accommodation and feeding arrangements for all pilgrims in Makkah and Madina have  been concluded, while Islamic scholars have been engaged to guide the pilgrims on hajj obligations.

    Leme advised the intending pilgrims to abide by the rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during their stay, and pray for peace and prosperity in Taraba and Nigeria.

  • 1,353 Lagos pilgrims arrive Saudi Arabia for hajj-Amirul Hajj

    1,353 Lagos pilgrims arrive Saudi Arabia for hajj-Amirul Hajj

    The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, says 1,353 pilgrims from the state have been transported to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 hajj.

    Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef, the Commissioner for Home Affairs and the Amirul Hajj, via a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos by Jamiu Dosunmu, the board’s spokesperson, said they were transported in four flights.

    “As at today, 1, 353 pilgrims from Lagos State have touched down in Saudi Arabia for the hajj exercise, and we have done everything to ensure their comfort,” he said.

    He described the organisation and conduct of Nigerian pilgrims as “impressive.”

    “Organisation and conduct of Nigerian pilgrims during visits to the prophet’s mosque and other important sites has been a source of admiration to pilgrims from other continents.

    “I will emphasise to our pilgrims that they should be wary of luggage they hold for unknown persons and they should not be found in possession of banned substances.

    “Drugs could be hidden in onions, dry red chilies, cans and other unsuspecting items,” he warned.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 2,400 pilgrims from Lagos State are expected to perform the 2017 hajj.

  • 1,104 intending pilgrims will perform 2017 Hajj from Plateau – Amirul Hajj

    1,104 intending pilgrims will perform 2017 Hajj from Plateau – Amirul Hajj

    A total of 1,104 intending pilgrims from Plateau will perform the 2017 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Dayyabu Garga, the state Amirul Hajj, has disclosed.

    Garga told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos that each of the intending pilgrim would pay N1.529 million for their airfare and other logistics.

    The Amirul Hajj is the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    He told NAN that based on the time table released by the National Hajj Commission, intending pilgrims from the state are expected to be airlifted on Aug. 22.

    “Unlike previous years when intending pilgrims from Plateau were airlifted from Kaduna International Airport, this year, they will be airlifted from Bauchi International Airport,” Garga said.

    He said that the state Muslims Pilgrims Commission had already commenced sensitisation of the intending pilgrims.

    He said the prospective pilgrims were advised to `carry things that are not prohibited in the holy land as the Saudi Authorities don’t bend their laws.

    “We try to educate them on some of the laws to be mindful of and work in the confines of the law.

    “We advised them to secure their Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) as that is their feeding allowance that will sustain them in the period that they will stay in the holy land,’’ he said.