Hajj 2024: Nigerians, Others Put together for Arafat Day As over 1.5m Muslims Arrive in Saudi Arabia

Nigerian Muslim pilgrims, a various group from 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are making ready to ascend Mount Arafat. The Nationwide Hajj Fee of Nigeria (NAHCON) has efficiently transported 50,865 pilgrims, together with 31,726 males and 19,139 females, for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, showcasing the unity and variety of the Nigerian Muslim group.

PRNigeria studies that the Muslim pilgrims had been airlifted from 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), excluding Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, and Cross Rivers states on this 12 months’s Hajj.

Based on the Kingdom’s Common Directorate of Passports, Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 1.5 million pilgrims for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. As of June 10, 1,547,295 pilgrims have arrived within the Kingdom by way of numerous ports, with the bulk (1,483,312) arriving by air. The remaining pilgrims arrived by way of land and sea ports.

The directorate emphasises its dedication to facilitating the entry course of for all pilgrims, utilising superior expertise and a staff of multilingual personnel. Final 12 months’s Hajj drew over 1.8 million worshipers, and this 12 months’s pilgrimage is predicted to exceed that quantity.

The Hajj, one of many 5 pillars of Islam, is a sacred journey of immense significance. It’s necessary for all bodily and financially succesful Muslims. The pilgrimage started on June 14 and concerned numerous rituals, together with Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba), journey to Mina, a day of worship on the Mountain of Arafat, and the symbolic stoning of pillars representing evil.

Pilgrims have begun performing Tawaf and can proceed to Mina on the primary day of Hajj. They are going to then interact in a day of worship on the Mountain of Arafat, then transition to Muzdalifah, the place they may collect pebbles for the stoning ritual.

Saudi authorities have carried out a complete set of measures to make sure the security and well-being of all pilgrims. These measures embrace tighter safety and well being tips and preparations to fight excessive climate circumstances, offering a reassuring surroundings for the pilgrimage.

The Hajj rituals embrace carrying Ihram (a state of non secular purity), travelling to Mina, spending a day in prayer and remembrance, accumulating pebbles at Muzdalifah, stoning the pillars in Mina, performing Qurbani (sacrifice), and trimming or shaving hair. The pilgrimage concludes with a farewell Tawaf in Mecca.

In the meantime, 30 Nigerian Muslims invited by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, as particular visitors are additionally attending the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. The invitation recognises their contributions to Islamic schooling and enlightenment. The visitors embrace Islamic students, communication specialists, public officers, businesspeople, and social media influencers.

Amongst these invited are: Yushau Abdulhameed Shuaib, writer of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential; Rasheed Abubakar of Muslim Information Nigeria,Abdulateef Aliyu of Day by day Belief; Dr. Awa Ibraheem, monetary knowledgeable; Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, Kwara State Grand Khadi; – Hajia Hadiza Ndamadi, First Woman of Jigawa State; Justice Idris Haroun, a retired Grand Khadi; Bashir Ahmed and Jubril Gawut, social media influencers.

Different embrace Sheikh Sufyan Abdullah, Sheikh Imran Eleha, Sheikh Dr. Sani Abubakar Birnin Kudu and Dr. Nasir Abubakar amongst others.

The king’s invitation was additionally prolonged to visitors from 90 international locations worldwide.