Be responsible ambassadors of Nigeria, Akeredolu urges pilgrims

INTENDING pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from Ondo State, have been advised to be a good and responsible ambassador of the country during their pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

The state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, who gave this advice on Sunday, during a farewell ceremony organised for the 2018 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia urged the pilgrims to abide with the laws of their host country and shun any conducts that could bring their individual names, the image of the state and Nigeria as a whole into disrepute

Akeredolu who charged the 119 pilgrim to use the opportunity to visit the Holy land to pray for the state and the country and fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam.

Akeredolu said: “Hajj pilgrims comes once in a year across the globe. Those of you who by the grace of Almighty Allah are privileged to observe this sacred duty must, therefore, do so with the fear of Allah.

“This will evident in the manners you conduct yourselves from now after you have returned from the pilgrimage.

“Let me remind you of your obligations in the Holy Land. First of all, a good Muslim must concentrate on the observance of five times daily prayer and fervent supplications during his sojourn in the Holy Land. You should therefore not waste your precious sacred time running after merchandise or engaging in trivial political arguments.

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“You must resist the temptation of carrying hard drugs or prohibited goods to the Holy Land. The attributes of honesty and discipline which are enshrined in the Noble Quran must be conspicuously displayed in your performance of Hajj.”

The governor, however, said his administration had initiated efforts aimed at promoting the general wellbeing and betterment of religion faithful in the state.

He added that his administration had provided the necessary support to the Muslim Welfare Board to ensure that befitting accommodation, feeding and transport arrangements both in Makkah and Madinah were made available for the pilgrims.