Tag: Saudi

The Guardian Gafe on 2023 Hajj

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The attention of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has been drawn to the lead story in the Friday, July 21, 2023 edition of The Guardian Newspaper with the caption “Tears, Complaint Trails Nigeria’s Hajj… N304 Billion Capital flight to Makkah.”  The Guardian as one of the leading lights of Nigerian print journalism for decades, has a reputation for promoting fair reportage and analyses of issues and events.  This, however, was not the case with the seemingly sponsored story under reference purported to be The Guardian’s evaluation of the…

Read More

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

High Temperature: Saudi advises pilgrims to observe Jumma’at at Mosques closer homes

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. The Saudia Arabian authorities have advised pilgrims to observe Friday Jumma’at service at the Mosques closer to their residences due to predicted high temperature. The Saudi Arabia Metrological Agency stated that the temperature will reach 50 degrees centigrade Friday 8th July, 2023. The advise to observe the Jumma’at prayers in the Mosques nearest to their residences according to the authorities, is to ensure the pilgrims do not expose themselves to the harsh weather. Pilgrims are known to walk kilometers to observe even the five daily prayers…

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

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Hajj: We improve infrastructure annually for ease pilgrims – Minister

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Aisha Muhammed Ahmed, Makkah The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom improves its infrastructure every year for ease, comfort and safety of millions of pilgrims who embark on the rituals. The Minister made this assertion at the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Islamic Affairs organized press conference with media organizations across the globe. started by emphasizing the significance of umrah and hajj excersises and that Saudi Arabia is trying to make sure that pilgrims perform a seamless excersise. Al-Rabiah said the aim…

Read More

Hajj Airlifts: Nigerian Envoy to Saudi applauds NAHCON

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir Makkah. Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Yahaya Lawal, has applauded the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, for the successful airlifting of all Nigerian intending pilgrims on schedule to the holy land for the 2023 Hajj. Ambassador Lawal made the commendation in his welcome address at the pre-Arafah conference in Makkah, praying that the return airlift to Nigeria after the Hajj rituals would equally be a resounding success. The Ambassador said since the commencement of the airlift, he was on ground monitoring the operations, asserting…

Read More