Hajj 2018: Ensure safety of pilgrims, NAHCON tells state welfare boards

AHEAD of movement of pilgrims from Makkah to Muna on the eight days of Dhul-Hijja, the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards have been advised to comply strictly with National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) guidelines.

The Chairman NAHCON Taradudiyyah committee, (movement of pilgrims Makkah to Muna, Arafat, Muzdalifa) Dr Aliyu Abubakar Tanko gave the admonition on Sunday in Makkah.

Dr Tanko declared that the previous years’ arrangement in the movement of Pilgrims to, Muna, Arafat, Muzdalifa and back to Makkah after the required two or three days stay in Muna has not changed. He further disclosed that pilgrims would be moved from the early hours of next Sunday (after midnight Saturday), being the eight of Dhul-Hijja and therefore implored state Pilgrims officials to ensure sanity and orderliness in the movement of Pilgrims to the Mashaa’ir (religious) sites.

The Taradudiyyah Committee Chairman told newsmen that NAHCON was determined to stop the unpleasant experience of the past when pilgrims sauntered around their hotels in Makkah, exposed themselves to the harsh weather conditions and in the process, get exhausted before the buses arrived for their evacuation.

Dr Tanko also pleaded with pilgrims not to rush to join the buses when they arrive as he noted that just like previous years, the Saudi authorities have assigned different times to Countries to ease congestion and its attendant consequences.

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He urged them to equally adhere strictly to Jamraat (throwing of pebbles) schedules.

Dr Tanko stated that guides have been provided to lead the Pilgrims to the Jamaraat site and back to the tents in Muna to guard against loss of Pilgrims and its associated discomfort.

Meanwhile, about 545 pilgrims were airlifted from Bauchi state on Sunday to Madinah, bringing the total number of pilgrims from Nigeria to the Holy Land to 27,817.