Saudi Arabia declares August 10 Arafat Day

SAUDI ARABIA’S Supreme Court confirmed on Thursday that the crescent moon of Dhu Al-Hijjah had been sighted.

Hajj will, therefore, begin on Friday, August 9. Pilgrims will spend the day on the plains of Mount Arafat on Saturday, August 10, and Eid Al-Adha will start on Sunday, August 11, according to Arab News.

As of Wednesday, 1,249,951 hajj pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, according to statistics issued by the kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports.

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Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Thursday said it had transported 32,402 pilgrims to  Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Pilgrims from parts of the world are expected to leave Madinah for Makkah on August 7 and on August 8, they would move to Munnah for the commencement of Hajj rights.

In a statement in Madinah, the commission said it had carried out 66 flights, adding that Flynas XY5491 had departed Kebbi for Madinah with 430 Kebbi pilgrims and two officials.

NAHCON said the pilgrims comprised 203 males and 227 females.

The coordinator of the commission in Madinah, Alhaji Ahmed Maigari, while fielding questions from newsmen, said the commission would transport all the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia before the deadline.

NAN reported that Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah continue to observe their religious rites as they visit historical sites ahead of their transportation to Makkah.