Following the death of 18 Nigerians in Saudi Arabia during the 2015 Hajj, a university don has urged pilgrims for this year’s hajj to adhere to safety rules and measures in order to avoid a recurrence.
The don, Dr. Mubin Raji of the Department of Religion and Peace Studies at the Lagos State University, Ojo, in an interview with The Point, said it was expedient that Nigerian pilgrims adhere to pieces of advice and the briefings given to them by their respective state pilgrims’ boards.
He said that as pilgrims had started leaving the country for the annual religious rite, they maintain taqwa (piety) which is the utmost obligation for any Muslim going for the hajj as stated in the holy Quran.
“Muslims should remember that they are going there to observe one of the pillars of Islam and as such, should take to the advice given to them before leaving in the country. Again, they should hold on to their taqwa, which is firm, as every other thing can follow,” he urged.
He also enjoined pilgrims to be of good behaviour and not to engage in anything that could tarnish their name, country and Islam in general, “as the religion is a religion of peace.”
However, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday, inaugurated the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Bello, commended the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and aviation agencies for the arrangement being put in place.
He said the inaugural flight was the beginning of the hard work to be done by the officials at the holy land in guiding the pilgrims to perform the hajj.
Osinbajo commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for ensuring that all obstacles to 2017 Hajj pilgrimage were removed as well as the aviation agencies for ensuring smooth flight operations during the exercise.
According to him, airlifting is the beginning of the tasks to be carried out by the officials during Hajj operation.
“As you are all aware, what we are witnessing today is a culmination of intense hard work, dedication and commitment by Hajj officials. This inaugural airlift is the beginning of the intense hard work to be done because you cannot say that the work is done until the pilgrims going to Saudi have an acceptable hajj and return back safely.
“”So, I want to commend the agencies of government particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the effort in ensuring that Nigeria got back the 20 per cent quota lost years ago, ”he said.
The Acting President urged the pilgrims to pray for the peace and prosperity of the country while in the holy land.
