TheNewsGuru

Tag: pilgrims

  • Be good ambassadors in Saudi Arabia – Gov. Bala urges pilgrims

    Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has called on intending pilgrims departing to Saudi Arabia for the 2022 holy pilgrimage to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.

    Mohammed made the appeal during his farewell address to the 2022 Bauchi intending pilgrims on Tuesday night.

    He said this is necessary in order to make the state and Nigeria proud.

    The governor, who prayed for their safe trip to Makkah, also prayed that the Almighty God would make the exercise easy for them.

    Mohammed also urged them to offer special prayers for the state and nation as a whole.

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board (BSMPWB), Alhaji Abdulrahaman Idris, appreciated the state governor for the support given to the board and the pilgrims which have helped in the successful preparation for the journey.

    Idris also called on the pilgrims to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner and shun any act that could go against the rules and regulations laid down by the Saudi authorities.

    He said that 1,663 pilgrims would perform the pilgrimage from the state, while 530 would be departing on Wednesday morning under Batch A.

  • Hajj Commission announces cost of airfare for intending pilgrims

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the cost for intending pilgrims to the 2022 Hajj.

    The commission announced this on Saturday in Abuja, adding that the cost of airfare is responsible for the different prices to be paid.

    According to the commission, pilgrims departing from the southern part of Nigeria will pay N2,496,815.29, while those departing from the northern part of Nigeria will pay N2,449, 607.89.

    Those departing from Adamawa and Borno will pay N2,408,197.89 because of their proximity to Saudi Arabia.

    Intending pilgrims will also get their COVID-19 PCR test done at a discounted rate of N30,000.

    Its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, said in a statement that the Commission had requested an increase in the number of pilgrims from Nigeria and was awaiting response from Saudi Arabia.

    He enjoined pilgrims’ welfare commissions at the state level to continue to work on the number of pilgrims allocated to them rather than wait for an increased allocation.

    He stated that while visas for officials and pilgrims in the inaugural flight were ready, states should start visa processing for all categories of registered pilgrims.

    Hassan stated also that the Nigeria Immigration Service had promised to assist states having problems in processing travel passports for pilgrims.

    NAHCON urged states to conclude funds remittances speedily to fast-track preparations and for the processing of Basic Travel Allowances for the pilgrims.

  • Saudi Arabia issues Hajj rules for airlines transporting pilgrims

    The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued new rules for airlines transporting pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season, local media reported.

    The rules cover all airlines working in the kingdom’s airports, including private airlines, regarding the health requirements that should be met by passengers arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.

    According to the new rules, pilgrim passengers should be less than 65 years old and have completed immunizations with basic doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

    Pilgrim passengers must also submit a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken within 72 hours prior to departure to the kingdom.

    Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Airlines SAUDIA, the national flag carrier, has allocated 14 aircraft for pilgrims, which are expected to make 268 international flights from and to 15 stations worldwide, as well as 32 domestic flights.

    In total, the airline will be responsible for providing around 107,000 international and 12,800 domestic seats during the Hajj Season, it added.

    Saudi Arabia announced in April its plan to receive one million domestic and foreign pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season.

    It is the first time that foreign pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj after the previous two seasons, which were restricted to domestic pilgrims due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

  • COVID-19: S/Arabia to allow only ‘Immunised’ pilgrims to Mecca

    COVID-19: S/Arabia to allow only ‘Immunised’ pilgrims to Mecca

    Saudi authorities said yesterday only people immunised against COVID-19 will be allowed to perform the year-round umrah pilgrimage from the start of Ramadan, the holy fasting month for Muslims.

    The hajj and umrah ministry said in a statement that three categories of people would be considered “immunised” – those who have received two doses of the vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior, and people who have recovered from the infection.

    Only those people will be eligible for permits to perform umrah, as well as to attend prayers in the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

    The policy would effectively “raise the operational capacity” of the Grand Mosque during Ramadan, it said, adding that the condition also applies for entry into the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city of Medina.

    The ministry said the policy starts with Ramadan, which is due to begin later this month, but it was unclear how long it would last.

    It was also not clear whether the policy, which comes amid an uptick in coronavirus infections in the kingdom, would be extended to the annual hajj pilgrimage later this year.

    In late July last year, the kingdom hosted a downsized hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime.

    Only up to 10,000 Muslim residents of Saudi Arabia itself were allowed to take part, a far cry from the 2.5 million Muslims from around the world who participated in 2019.

  • Nigerian pilgrims embrace other Muslims from across the globe

    Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah have embraced other Muslim nationals from across the world in the course of observing their religious rites.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many pilgrims were spotted at the Prophet’s mosque and other places in Madinah exchanging taking pictures with one another and exchanging addresses.
    Al-Haj Nasir Uddin, from Bangladesh, who spoke with NAN, said it was pleasing relating with Nigerian pilgrims, ”because Nigerian pilgrims are peace-loving people.”
    Uddin, who was seen taking picture with some Nigerian pilgrims at the Prophet’s mosque, promised to maintain contacts he made with Nigerians in Madinah when he get back home.
    Ahmed Yusuf from the FCT said he made friends among many Muslim pilgrims from other countries, adding that it was incumbent on Muslims to relate with others.
    ”Islam enjoins all Muslims to love and unite with one another, even among adherents of other religions.
    “Once a Muslim meets another Muslim and they greet with peace be upon you, you get instant acceptsnce with warm embrace signifying the unity of man.
    “Islam is a potent force uniting people of different nationalities, culture, colour and tradition among others,” he said.
    Yusuf promised to make more foreign friends before the end of the Hajj rites.
    He scored the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare boards 80 per cent in terms of accommodation and feeding.
    Also speaking, another Nigerian Pilgrim, Alhaji Abdulfatai Bello, said his meeting with other nationals was rewarding and interesting.
    “Anywhere we find ourselves as Muslims, Islam enjoins us never to discriminate but love and unite with other people, irrespective of differences in languages and places of abode.
    ”I am happy to note that, that atmosphere of unity and love is being displayed between Nigerian pilgrims and our people from other climes.
    ”I have met several nationals in Madinah in the course of my hajj and we have been interacting on a positive note.
    “If we can embrace this attitude, on a large scale in Nigeria, the country will be better for all of us,” he said.
    Meanwhile, 17,161 pilgrims have so far been transported to Madinah since their inaugural flight in Katsina on July 10 while over 6,000 have been transported to Madinah as at Tuesday.
    Similarly, NAHCON revealed on Wednesday that MaxAir NGL1049 departed Ilorin for Jeddah at 05:40hrs with 369 Kwara Pilgrims comprising 187 male and 182 female and 185 Kano pilgrims comprising 121 male and 64female.
    It added that total Nigerian pilgrim in Madinah and Makkah has become 19,081 in 39 flights.

  • NAHCON urges pilgrims to be security conscious

    Nigerian pilgrims to the 2019 Hajj have been advised to be security conscious as their movement from Madinah to Makkah entered second day on Friday.
    The Head of Civic Orientation, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Bala Umar, gave the advice while sensitising the pilgrims in Madinah.
    He stressed the need for the pilgrims to always interact with the officers of the commision detailed to take care of their welfare, to ensure they had hitch-free Hajj.
    “The sensitisation programme will be a continuous exercise to ensure that every pilgrim achieve acceptable Hajj,” he said.
    Bala expressed satisfaction on the orderly and peaceful conduct of the pilgrims and urged them to sustain the tempo.
    He, however, told the pilgrims to always seek clarification from Hajj officers on grey areas in order to accomplish their reason of being in Saudi Arabia.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no Nigerian pilgrim has been caught breaching the security of Saudi Arabian authorities since the first batch arrived Madinah on July 10.
    Meanwhile, Nigerian pilgrims have continued in their prayers at the Prophet’s mosque in Madinah in an orderly manner, under the watchful eyes of Saudi Arabian security personnel.
    Sources from NAHCON showed that Flynas XY 5453 departed Sokoto to Madinah early morning on Friday with 428 Sokoto pilgrims.
    The commission said that the number comprised 284 males and 144 females, adding that a total of 12,131 pilgrims had so far arrived Madinah in 25 flights, since the inaugural flight in Katsina on July 10.

  • 2019 Hajj: 1,529 pilgrims depart for Saudi Arabia

    A total of 1,529 Muslim pilgrims have so far been airlifted from Kano, Lagos and Kaduna airports for this year’s Hajj to Saudi Arabia.
    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) disclosed this on Saturday through its tweeter handle in Abuja.
    The information contained in the tweet explained that the Kaduna pilgrims were airlifted through Kaduna Airport in Medview airline number VM3047 at 20:02 hours carrying 542 passengers on board to Madinah.
    The tweet also announced that pilgrims were made up of 348 males and 194 females.
    “Lagos State airlifted 432 pilgrims with Flynas airline number XY5441 from Lagos to Madinah at 13:11hours.
    “While Kano State airlifted 555 pilgrims at about 13:51hours via MaxAir NGL1005 from Kano airport to Jeddah with 10 officials of NAHCON on board.
    “The pilgrims composed of 315 male and 240 female pilgrims,” the tweet said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the commission had earlier sent advance team of its officials to receive the intending pilgrims from Nigeria.
    The NAHCON officials would be responsible for receiving pilgrims in Madinah and Jeddah airports, their feeding, beddings in various accommodations, security, transportation, enlightenment and general monitoring.
    The advance team, which was led by the acting secretary of the commission, was expected to liaise with Saudi authorities in coordinating movements of pilgrims and updating the relevant authorities on new developments from the host country.

  • Saudi simplifies visa for Nigerian pilgrims – NAHCON

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says the Saudi Arabian authorities has simplified visa processing for 2019 hajj season through its e-visa.
    The head of Public Affairs Division of NAHCON, Fatima Usara, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
    Usara said the introduction of the new system of processing and obtaining e-Visa does not require intending pilgrims to undergo any physical screening in Saudi embassies which was in contrast to the 2018 hajj.
    ”Under this arrangement, the intending pilgrim’s visa will spontaneously be administered upon completion of Hajj fare payment on the e-portal.
    ”The next move is for the visa applicant to proceed to a café to print out the visa document and wait for his/her scheduled flight for the pilgrimage. With respect to Nigerian pilgrims, their respective state pilgrims’ boards print out the visas on behalf of their pilgrims,” the statement explained.
    ”This procedure has been stress-free thus far with a considerable number of visas already processed. Visas are administered within hours of making full payments therefore creating a leeway for one to pay and get his/her visa ready hours before closure of Hajj e-portal for 2019 Hajj, deadline for this being 15th of July 2019.”
    She therefore cautioned intending pilgrims to safeguard their visa slips and other travel documents.
    ”NAHCON cautions intending pilgrims to safeguard their visa slips and other travel documents conscientiously to forestall anyone missing his/her chance of participating in 2019 Hajj. This is because Saudi Arabian authorities will not honour entry of anyone with incomplete travel documents into the Kingdom for any reason.
    ”The visa slip is in paper form, which may easily be destroyed by wetness. Therefore, the Commission recommends extra care in handling travel documents to Hajj 2019,” she said.

  • 2018 Hajj: Gov. Obaseki charges intending Muslim pilgrims of good behaviour

    2018 Hajj: Gov. Obaseki charges intending Muslim pilgrims of good behaviour

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday charged the 130 Edo State’s intending pilgrims, comprising 77 females and 53 males, to be good ambassadors of the state and country in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

    Obaseki, who gave the charge in his farewell message to the pilgrims at the Hajj Camp Ground in Benin City, the Edo State capital, assured that his administration is committed to the overall wellbeing of all Edo people and residents.

    He urged the pilgrims to make the state proud through their conduct in the holy land.

    “God has been good to us in Edo State as we have lived peacefully with one another. The peaceful coexistence is as a result of prayers by Edo people and residents, and we are determined to create a state that will be fair to all,” he added.

    The governor commended the Sheikh Ibrahim Oyarekhua-led Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for the transparent manner it has handled the affairs of the board in the last one year.

    “I am proud that I made the right board appointments with the amount of progress the board has made under the present leadership. I am delighted at the board’s performance and I donate a bus to the board to enhance its performance.”

    Obaseki saluted the 2017 Amiru Hajj, Abdulfatai Enabulele, whose detailed report, according to him, helped his administration in planning this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. He pledged that his administration will support the intending pilgrims to ensure they are comfortable before their departure to Lagos next week.

    The 2018 Amiru Hajj and Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Adjoto, commended the Edo State governor for approving the reconstruction of the Hajj Camp and road leading to the camp.

    “As Amiru Hajj, I will ensure that our pilgrims are protected, secure and safe in the holy land while performing the Hajj,” the speaker said, and made a case for the decentralisation of the Hajj operations by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to forestall unnecessary delay in the air-lifting of pilgrims to Mecca.

    The chairman of the board, Sheikh Ibrahim Oyarekhua, thanked the governor for the appointment, and disclosed that the over eight million naira debt his board inherited has been cleared.

    He explained that Edo State pilgrims used to pay the second highest fare to Mecca, and informed that the efforts of the board, with the support of the Amiru Hajj, have brought down the cost, as the state now pays the cheapest fare to the holy land.

     

  • Lagos State Muslim pilgrims board to refund N30m to 2017 pilgrims

    Lagos State Muslim pilgrims board to refund N30m to 2017 pilgrims

    The Lagos State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board says it will on May 9 commence the refund of N30 million to pilgrims from the state who performed the 2017 Hajj.

    Mr Musbau Okoya, Executive Secretary of the board, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

    Okoya said that each of the pilgrims, numbering about 2,300 pilgrims, would get refund of N12,000 for services that were not provided by the Saudi authorities.

    “The refund will commence on Wednesday, May 9 at our office in Ikeja, and each of the entitled beneficiary will get a refund of N12,000.

    “The refund is essentially for services that the pilgrims paid for but which the authorities in Saudi Arabia did not provide,” he said.

    He, however, said that the 2017 pilgrims whom were indebted to the state one way or another were not entitled to the refund.

    Okoya urged intending pilgrims for the 2018 Hajj to ensure that they registered for the National Identity Card, as it had been made a prerequisite for Hajj.

    “The national identity card is now a requirement for intending pilgrims. I urge them to register for the identity card early enough to enable them to go for the Hajj,” he said.

    He assured that the State was committed to ensuring comfort for its pilgrims, and urged the faithful to always avoid acts that would affect the spiritual essence of the pilgrimage.

    He also urged them to take advantage of the Hajj lectures which had commenced in selected locations in the state to build their faith and to be more knowledgeable about the true essence of the Hajj.

    Pandemonium as lawyer kills husband, removes internal organs in Lagos [Graphic photos]