The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced that it would begin airlifting of 2025 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, May 14.
The Executive Chairman of the Agency, Malam Salihu Abubakar, made the announcement in a statement by Malam Yunusa Abdullahi, its Public Relations Officer, on Tuesday in Kaduna.
Abubakar disclosed that a total of 4,060 pilgrims from Kaduna State were expected to perform the Hajj, with UMZA Airline serving as the official carrier for their airlift to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He said that as part of the mandatory pre-departure protocols, all pilgrims would undergo comprehensive medical screening at the Hajj Transit Camp in Mando.
“In compliance with international and Saudi Arabian health regulations, all female pilgrims are required to undergo pregnancy tests before departure,” he said.
He urged all intending pilgrims to strictly adhere to the rules and guidelines set by the Saudi authorities, emphasising the importance of discipline, group coordination, and personal safety throughout the pilgrimage.
He assured that the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency was fully committed to ensuring a hassle-free and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience for all pilgrims.
“The Agency appreciates the cooperation of all stakeholders and calls on the public to support the pilgrims with prayers for a successful and safe journey, “Abubakar added
Adamawa
Also, Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Commission said it will commence the transportation of its 10,035 intending Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for 2025 Hajj Operations from May 14.
Malam Abubakar Salihu, Executive Secretary of the Commission, disclosed this at the closing of Pilgrims enlightenment programme in Yola last Sunday.
Salihu, who was represented by Director of Operations, Alhaji Hassan Ali, urged the intending Pilgrims to put the knowledge acquired into practice for a successful and accepted Hajj. He told them to continue to be law-abiding while in Nigeria and in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Modibbo Safyan-Rumde, Vice Chairman Nigeria Council of Chief of Imam of Jumu’at Mosque, urged the intending Pilgrims to cooperate with Hajj officials for good guidance throughout the exercise. He asked them to pray for peace and security in the state and country as well as economic development of the nation.
Safyan-Runde also commended the Executive Secretary of the commission for initiative of replica of Ka’aba for a successful practical aspect of Hajj.
Sheik Abubakar Muktar a cleric also urged intending Pilgrims to understand that: “Hajj is one of five pillars of Islam, which is expensive and difficult.
“And it is not everyone that have the opportunity except those who were called by Almighty God.”
He listed some of the benefits of performing Hajj to include; abstinence from sins, reward for paradise and distance from poverty among other opportunities in the world.
According to him, patience is one of the key things for a successful Hajj as they are going to share rooms, toilets, cars and other things while in the holy Land.
Hajiya Hafsat AbdulRahaman, another Hajj official, appreciated the cooperation of the intending Pilgrims and urged them to demonstrate same while in the holy land.
She said the construction of replica of Ka’aba had made practical skills easy for understanding by intending Pilgrims.
