Author: Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

Hajj: Nigerian Pilgrims return flights begin Tuesday

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. The return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia is expected to commence Tuesday 4th of July, 2023. Engineer Umar Sanda Goni , Head of Aviation matters of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, made this known at the post Arafah meeting in Makkah. Goni said the process of early arrival, early exit by the pilgrims would be adhered to in airlifting of the pilgrims back to Nigeria after the Hajj exercise. He explained further that the Saudi authorities have come up with a…

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2024 Hajj: Eealier preparations determines choice of location in Masha’er – Saudi authorities.

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah.  As the 2023 Hajj exercise gradually comes to a close with the schedule return flight of pilgrims beginning on Thursday, the Saudi Arabia authorities said early preparations by the missions of the various nations, would determine choice of locations at Masha’er for the 2024 Hajj. The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah stated this at a ceremony to mark the end of 2023 Hajj Exercise at Headquarters of the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry in Makkah. During his speech at the…

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Sacrifice: Nigerian Pilgrims advised to see Hajj inconveniences as ibadah

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Muna. As the 2023 Hajj exercise peaks and gradually winds down, Nigerian pilgrims have been admonished to see any inconvenience encountered in the course of the rituals as an act of worship. The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON, Zikrullah Kunle Hassan gave the advise while speaking with Liberty News in Muna, Saudi Arabia. The 2023 Hajj peaks with the movement of pilgrims from Makkah to Mina, to Arafat, Musdalifah and to Jamrat for the symbolic stoning. Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan while asserting…

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Hajj Peak: Over 2 Million Pilgrims converge on Arafah

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. Tuesday 27 June, 2023 equivalent to Islamic calendar 9th Dhul Hijjah 1444, over two million pilgrims from across the globe converged on Arafah to observe the day in accordance with Hajj rites. The convergence on the plains of Arafah is one of the most important pillars of the annual pilgrim rites. As early as 12 midnight, the pilgrims began the movement from Muna to Arafah, and would later move to Muzdalifah where they would pass the night before moving to Jamrat for the symbolic stoning. …

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Mina Tent Shortage: 10,000 Nigerian Pilgrims move to new site

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. Following the concerns raised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON on shortage of tents in Mina that has inconvenienced Nigerian Pilgrims, the Saudi authorities have agreed to relocate about10,000 pilgrims to a new site in order to decongest the present tents.  The decision was sequel to the complaint lodged bNAHCON to the Muttawwif of African Non Arabs on inadequate tents, inadequate food supply and late food service to the pilgrims. A statement by Mousa Ubandawaki, Deputy Director, Information and Publication NAHCON  said the…

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Pilgrims Welfare: Saudi priorities transportation, health, technology

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Aisha Muhammad Ahmed, Makkah, Saudi Arabia is no doubt modernising as a means of easily accommodating and making life comfortable for millions of pilgrims who annually embark on lesser hajj and pilgrimage.  To achieve this, it is also utilising and prioritising technology in transportation and health. One of the major challenges that pilgrims face during annual hajj operations is traffic as you have a million to two plus simultaneously performing same rituals withing Makkah especially and moving from one point of ritual to another. The Saudi authorities are putting…

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Insufficient Tents,Food: NAHCON dissatisfied with Saudi service providers

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. Following the insufficient tents in Mina, Makkah where pilgrims are expected to spend three to four nights, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, said it is dissatisfied with the Saudi Arabia Service providers. The Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan said the Saudi company with the sole responsibility of securing enough tents at the Mashã’ir for Nigerians has not lived upto expectations. Fielding questions from journalists in Muna on the sad phenomenon, the Commission chairman said even food supply by the contracted…

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Mina: Insufficient Tents inconvenience Pilgrims, We are tackling it – NAHCON, IHR calls for urgent action

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. As millions of Pilgrims converged on Mina in Makkah where they will spend between three to four nights, insufficient tents is incoveniencing some pilgrims as they have to make do with staying outside. Most affected with the insufficient tents in Mina are pilgrims from Kano, then Kaduna and those who came through t.our operators. Some of the pilgrims were seen staying on the roads outside but beside their tents, though with comfortable sofas. Others have to collapse three tents into one and stretched them to…

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Hajj 2023: Sokoto tops pregnancy case, Nigeria records 30 psychiatric cases,6 deaths

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. As the 2023 Hajj exercise peaks in Saudia Arabia, a report by the National Medical Mission revealed that  Sokoto State tops the case of pregnancy in the holy land. Recall, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON had earlier raised concerned about the number of pregnant Nigerian women pilgrims who scale the screening and found their way to Saudi Arabia.  A report by Dr. Usman Galadima, Head of Nigerian Medical Mission and Chief of Operations, showed a total pregnancy cases of seven; Sokoto 2, Kwara,…

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Hajj: Pilgrims move to Muna, ready for Arafah

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. In preparation for Arafah Day which is the peak of Hajj exercise tomorrow Tuesday, 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims join over 2 million of other faithful from around the world to move about 9 kilometers from Makkah to Muna today.Liberty News Correspondent in Makkah, Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir reports that the movement of pilgrims from their residences in Makkah started as early 5am local time and 3am Nigerian time.The early movement was meant to avoid hitches, hold ups and ensure all pilgrims get to their tent and settle…

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