Tag: HAJJ

Hajj not a capital flight

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Fatima Sanda Usara The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) observed with dismay how some media outlets, for whatever reasons, have carried on with campaigns of calumny against the Commission despite several press briefings and press releases clearly explaining reasons and solutions to hitches encountered in the 2023 Hajj operations.  In its bid to carry the press along, who in turn it is believed would clarify issues for their readers, NAHCON had kept the press updated about all knotty issues even before they become obvious, and sometimes only after…

Read More

Over 45,000 Nigerian Pilgrims airlifted back home, final flight for August 3rd

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. About two weeks into the commencement of the in-bound airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi, over 45,000 pilgrims have been successfully airlifted back to Nigeria in 116 flights, with August 3rd set for the final flight. The in-bound operation began on July 4th with the airlift of 387 Sokoto pilgrims by Flynas; a Saudi base airline after the completion of the symbolic stoning of the Jamrats and completion of Hajj rites. Though initially bedeviled by non-provision of slots to many of the airlines except the Flynas;…

Read More

2023 Hajj: Comparative Success Sans Masha’er

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir.  Standing in the heart of Makkah, Saudi Arabia at Ummul-joud, staring at the gigantic Nigeria Hajj Commission office, nostalgically reminds you of the Hajj House located in the heart of the Central Business District Area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.  The similarities between these two gigantic structures stomach what it embodies. They are the symbols of the annual Muslim Pilgrimages to Islam’s holiest of places. And in-between, the rituals of lesser hajj; Umrah.  Both structures in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia bear the signatures of…

Read More

Hajj Return Flights; Nigeria gets more slots to speed up exercise

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. The Saudi Arabia General Authority on Aviation GACA has approved more slots for Nigerian Hajj operations airlines to airlift more Nigerians back home, after initial dragging of foot. The approval followed several meetings between the Nigerian Hajj authorities and Saudi authorities which initially limited the number of flights and the capacity of each airline out of the holy land after the conclusion of Hajj rites. Beginning from Wednesday, 12th July, 2023 all the Nigerian licensed carriers would begin to operate their in-bound flight to Nigeria…

Read More

Niger State Pilgrims Boards applauds Gov. Bago’s gesture to pilgrims in Saudi

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. Niger State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has applauded the gesture of the Governor Umar Bago towards the pilgrims of the state to the 2023 Hajj. The Executive Secretary Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji  Muhammad Awwal Aliyu expressed the pilgrims’  appreciation for paying  pthem a visit in Muna Saudi Arabia. The Executive Secretary in a statement through his spokesperson, Hassan Danladi Idris said the pilgrims were really wowed by the governor’s gesture. Governor Bago had during the visit, gave financial assistance to the each of…

Read More

Non pilgrims’ invasion of Mina Tents causes inconvenience – Mutawif It’s your fault, we’ve no control over the place – NAHCON

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah The inconveniences suffered by Nigerian pilgrims in Mina Saudi Arabia, following insufficient tents that saw some pilgrims sleeping outside in harsh weather with no food and packed full toilet facilities is associated to the invasion of their tents by non pilgrims before their arrivals. Umar Bader Ali Bafakeek, the Chief Executive of Company  Mutawifs for Pilgrims from African Non Arab Countries made this assertion at a meeting with the Nigerian Hajj authorities in Makkah.  Bafakeek alleged that some of these non pilgrims mostly of African…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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. …

Read More