Nigerian pilgrims currently undergoing Hajj rituals in Madinah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, would start moving to Makkah to perform Umrah (lesser Hajj) and other religious obligations.
The Madinah Coordinator of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Ibrahim Mahmud, made the disclosure in a statement issued by Mrs Suwaiba Ahmed, NAHCON’s Head of Media in Madinah, on Thursday.
Mahmud said the commission had concluded arrangements to move 472 Nigeria pilgrims of Nasarawa State to Makkah.
According to him, Nasarawa State pilgrims are the first batch of pilgrims to be transported to Madinah for this year’s Hajj ritual.
“Since their arrival in Madina, the contingent had performed the traditional rites of praying at the Haramain Mosque and made visitations to many Islamic landmarks and historical sites including the battlefield of Uhud.
” So far, about 14,000 Nigerian pilgrims have been transported to the Holy land with all of them landing or heading to Madinah in the first phase of the operation.”
He said the commission had made adequate arrangements with Islamic clerics to properly guide pilgrims at every stage to ensure that they attain an acceptable Hajj.
Mahmud emphasised the need for the pilgrims to continue to conduct themselves and abide by the Saudi rules and regulations.