The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Saudi Arabia

  • 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.

     

  • Hajj: Obaseki charges Edo Pilgrims to be good ambassadors

    Hajj: Obaseki charges Edo Pilgrims to be good ambassadors

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday charged the state delegation to the 2017 Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to be good ambassadors of the state.

    Obaseki who gave the charge during a visit to the 260 intending pilgrims at the Hajj Camp on Dumez Road, Benin City, said: “The exercise you are about to embark on is a holy one, and one of the pillars of the Islamic religion. Don’t joke with it. You are courageous, upright, honest citizens of the state and I know you will demonstrate all these qualities in the ‘Holy Land’.”

    He maintained that he was ready to partner with people that gather in the name of God because of what God has done in his life and added that his presence at the Hajj Camp was to make sure the pilgrims were comfortable and bid them farewell to the ‘Holy Land’.

    Obaseki however disclosed that the late inauguration of the State Muslim Welfare Board was due to the efforts of some people to politicise the selection of the members.

    He stressed that “the work of God is not about politics, as every politician wants to be on the State Muslim Welfare Board. I wonder if the board is for politics or the work of God. If Allah calls you to serve him, serve him with a true heart and a sincere mind, not to manipulate a religious process. The interference in the process delayed the setting up of the Board.” he concluded.

    The Chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Oyarekhua, said the governor’s visit to the intending pilgrims at the Hajj Camp ahead of their departure, was the first of its kind and a demonstration of the governor’s humility.

    He appealed to the governor to provide the board with an official vehicle and a befitting Hajj Camp at the board’s office in the state capital.

  • 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.

  • Hajj: 400 persons denied privilege in 2014 get automatic slots in Plateau

    Hajj: 400 persons denied privilege in 2014 get automatic slots in Plateau

    The Plateau Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has offered automatic slots to 400 persons, who were denied the privilege to travel to Saudi Arabia for the exercise in 2014.

    Its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Dayyabu Garga, told newsmen on Tuesday in Jos that the intending pilgrims paid for the exercise in 2014 but did not travel because their monies “disappeared”.

    “We have traced their records and offered them automatic slots. We have not been able to trace their monies and have invited EFCC and ICPC to investigate,” he said.

    Garga said that the board had asked the intending pilgrims to pay the difference between what they paid in 2014 and the charges in 2017.

    He said that 1,100 persons had fully paid for the exercise for which Plateau was allocated 1,400 seats, adding that the first batch would travel to the holy land, via the Bauchi International Airport, on Aug. 16.

    Garga explained that the board would not allow people above 65 years to travel for the exercise because it was energy sapping.

    The official advised the intending pilgrims to respect the rules in the holy land and pray for the country.

  • Egypt: Rafah crossing opened to allow Gaza pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia

    Egypt: Rafah crossing opened to allow Gaza pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia

    Egypt on Monday opened the Rafah border crossing to allow intending pilgrims from Gaza Strip leave the blockaded coastal enclave to travel to Saudi Arabia, a local media reported.

    The first group of about 800 intending pilgrims crossed the Rafah crossing to go to Cairo International Airport from where they would fly to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

    A total of 2,508 Muslim pilgrims from the Gaza Strip is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia to attend the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage for Muslims from across the world, the report said.

    Gaza had been under blockade by Israel and Egypt since 2007 after the Hamas movement took over the enclave from the Palestinian National Authority.

    Egypt opens Rafah crossing and the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing with Israel, only when the need arises for humanitarian reasons, the report said.

    Meanwhile, EgyptAir has announced that it would start transporting Palestinian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia as of Tuesday.

    The pilgrims would be airlifted via three flights that would take off from Cairo International Airport to Jeddah, the Egyptian official news agency MENA reported.

  • 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.

  • 2017 Hajj: NAHCON begins transportation of holy water for pilgrims

    2017 Hajj: NAHCON begins transportation of holy water for pilgrims

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced the transportation of Zamzam (Holy Water) for 2017 Pilgrims to Nigeria from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The Head of Media of NAHCON, Malam Uba Mana made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ), on Sunday in Abuja.

    Mana said that the measure was part of the determination of the commission to make Hajj a hassle free exercise for the Nigerian Pilgrims.

    According to him, the first consignment of the water had been delivered in Gombe State by Saudi Arabian designate Airline, Flynas Airline.

    He explained that the policy of bringing Zamzam for pilgrims was meant to ease the difficulties faced by Nigeria Pilgrims in coming home with Zamzam water during Hajj.

    “This policy guarantees every pilgrim to collect 5 litres of Zamzam on arrival from Saudi Arabia back to Nigeria.

    “Each and every Nigeria Pilgrims will be given one 5kg of Zamzam water at their various transit camps across the Country on their arrival from Saudi Arabia, ” he said.

    The head of media said that the issue of carrying Zamzam water along with Pilgrims’ excess luggage had been a major factor that prolong the length and time of conducting screening for Nigeria Pilgrims during their return Journey from Hajj.

    He recalled that during the 2016 Hajj, NAHCON pioneer the system of shipping Zamzam water back to Nigeria before the arrival of Pilgrims from the Holy Land.

    “In 2016, the Commission transported 68,000 numbers of Zamzam water before the completion of transportation of pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia.”

    On the ongoing transportation of pilgrins to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mana said over 17,000 pilgrims from nine States have so far been transported to the Kingdom by the Commission.

  • 460 pilgrims leave for Saudi Arabia

    •Another batch departs today

    Medview Airline yesterday began the airlift of intending pilgrims from Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first flight, a B747-400 aircraft carrying 460 passengers left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at 12.50 p.m.

    A total of 2,316 pilgrims from the state are expected to participate in this year’s hajj, according to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    Amirul Hajj and Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his support in protecting pilgrims’ welfare at all times.

    “That is why we are going with a medical team of 32 personnel and seasoned Islamic clerics to guide the pilgrims to understand that the transaction they are engaging in is spiritual.

    “This is to ensure that they don’t stay back but learn from the development efforts of Saudi Arabia and reciprocate it here when they come back.

    “They will also learn peaceful co-existence because they are going to meet people from different cultures and background during the exercise,’’ Abdullateef said.

    According to him, the government also subjected the pilgrims to screening to ensure that they did not take contraband to the Holy Land.

    Medview Airline Managing Director Alhaji Muneer Bankole urged the government to support Hajj because doing so would be a blessing for the country.

    “The people going to Hajj are going there for spiritual purpose. Over two million people assembling in one place to pray for themselves, their countries and the world at large.

    “So, it is really a blessing in disguise and I think government should continue to support this spiritual exercise because the country needs more prayers,’’ he said.

    Bankole said the airline would be conveying passengers to Mecca and Medina from 18 states of the federation, adding that this is expected to be completed within one week.

    “My message for the pilgrims is that they should be good ambassadors of Nigeria. They should go there and pray for themselves, their states, the country and their leaders.

    “I equally implore them to pray for Medview which is the airline of Nigeria,’’ he said.

    NAHCON Commissioner in charge of Southwest Zone Imam Faud Adeyemi said the pilgrims had been sensitised on the dos and don’ts of the hajj.

    He enjoined them to be worthy ambassadors of the country.

    Meanwhile, Abdullateef last night mandated all coordinators of Apapa, Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa and part of Ifako-Ijaiye local governments, whose pilgrims are slated for today to inform them to report to the board by 8pm yesterday.

  • 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.