Hajj: 1,353 Lagos Pilgrims In Saudi Arabia
The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has successfully airlifted 1,353 pilgrims in four batches from Lagos to Saudi Arabia to participate in this year’s hajj exercise.
This was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amir Ul-Hajj, 2017, Dr. AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef while giving an update on this year’s hajj operations.
According to him, the pilgrims have been successfully housed in their respective hotels in Medina and activities of the holy pilgrimage have commenced in earnest.
He pointed out that pilgrims from other continents could not hide their feelings in view of the way Nigerian pilgrims have conducted themselves during their visit to the prophet’s Mosque and other important places that form part of the hajj exercise.
Dr. Lateef advised the pilgrims not to hold items on behalf of any other pilgrim, adding that the punishment for drug trafficking in the Middle East is death.
“Drugs could be hidden in onions, dry red chillies, drink cans and other unsuspecting items”, he said.
He explained that the pilgrims have begun visitation to historical sites in Medina, some of the places visited included Masjid Nabawi (Prophet Mosque), Raudotul Jannah, the site of the graves of prophet Muhammed, Abu Bakr and Umar.
Lagos Pilgrims are currently receiving lectures and sensitization at designated hotels on the importance of Zihara in the course of performing hajj.
