The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar, and Vice President Senator Kashim Shetima have cautioned pilgrims leaving Kebbi State via the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, en route to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj, to strictly adhere to guidelines provided by Saudi authorities,Daily Trust reports.
Addressing the initial group of pilgrims embarking on their journey to the holy land, the Sultan emphasized that this marked Kebbi’s inaugural flight for the Hajj operation, stressing the importance for pilgrims to maintain their focus on their Hajj obligations while in Mecca.
A total of 423 pilgrims from two local government areas, Jega and Arewa, departed the state from the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport for the holy land on the inaugural flight.
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“I urge you all to stay focused, avoid any prohibited items during your time in the holy land, and represent Kebbi and Nigeria with dignity,” the Sultan urged.
Similarly, the vice president highlighted the spiritual significance of Hajj as an opportunity for believers to seek forgiveness for their sins.
He assured pilgrims that the presidency was fully aware of the regulations set by Saudi authorities for the safety of pilgrims and urged strict adherence to them.
Governor Nasir Idris expressed satisfaction that his administration had met all requirements to meet the standards set by NAHCON for the Hajj operation.
He particularly praised the commencement of the first airlift of pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State.
Kano starts vaccination for prospective pilgrims
The Kano State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced the medical screening and vaccination process for prospective pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj.
Alhaji Laminu Danbappa, the director general of the board, disclosed this development to Daily Trust on Tuesday.
Danbappa, overseeing the process at Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital and the Hajj Camp clinic, explained that the screening aims to assess the health status of each pilgrim, aligning with the requirements for international travel and directives from the Saudi Arabian government.
Makinde urges officials not to compromise pilgrims’ welfare
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged the state’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board not to compromise the welfare of the 1070 pilgrims from Oyo while in Saudi Arabia.
He made this statement during a ceremony for the state’s first batch of intending pilgrims scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Makinde also encouraged the pilgrims to represent the state well as ambassadors in the holy land.
Saudi Arabia launches guides in Hausa, 15 other languages
In another development, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has released comprehensive guides in 16 languages, including Hausa, aimed at assisting pilgrims from around the world during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.
The guides provide easy-to-follow information covering all stages of the Hajj rituals, supporting the ministry’s efforts for the 2024 Hajj season.
“The guides address common questions from pilgrims in over 16 widely spoken languages, including Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Bengali, Indonesian, Hausa, Amharic, Persian, Spanish, Turkish, Russian, Sinhalese, Uzbek, and Malaysian,” the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
From Ismail Adebayo (Birnin Kebbi), Faruk Shuaibu (Abuja), Lubabatu Garba (Kano) & Kaffi Adenike (Ibadan)
