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NAHCON introduces Hajj savings scheme for 2020 intending pilgrims

NAHCON introduces Hajj savings scheme for 2020 intending pilgrims

By Ahmed Ubandoma
Savings
Abuja, Oct. 15, 2019 (NAN) The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Tuesday said it has introduced the Hajj savings scheme for intending pilgrims for 2020 exercise.

The Head of Media and Public Affairs of NAHCON, Mrs Fatima Usara, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Usara said the idea was to provide an avenue for the low income earners that wished to perform Hajj in the future to deposit their money with the commission from time-to-time before the due date for Hajj.

She however said that the commission did not fix a minimum amount for the first deposit.

“NAHCON is yet to fix amount for the first deposit by intending pilgrims because discussions are ongoing to determine the minimum amount that intending pilgrims will first deposit before the subsequent payment into the planned Hajj savings account,” she said.

The NAHCON spokesperson also said the depositors were at liberty to choose the period of time for their savings before the time of Hajj.

NAN reports that NAHCON had earlier commenced review of 2019 Hajj and Umrah activities with a view to improving its operations ahead of 2020 Hajj.

NAHCON also requested pilgrims from the 36 states and FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to register their commendations, advice and complaints on the 2019 exercise. (NAN)
AMU/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

We can’t wait to pray at Arafat- Pilgrims

By Dada Ahmed
Arafat
Makkah, July 7, 2019 (NAN) Nigerian pilgrims now in Makkah, warming to begin their last and critical segment of the annual religious rites on Friday in Muna, said they were prepared, spiritually and psychologically, to accomplish acceptable Hajj.

The pilgrims,in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makkah on Wednesday, said they had been enlightened on the do’s and don’s of performing Hajj while at Muna.

Muna is a suburb of Makkah where mount Arafat is located and about 1.8 million pilgrims from across the nations of the world are expected to stay there for three days, praying and asking for forgiveness of sin, among other rites.

Messrs Abdullahi Shehu, Mohammed Bawa, AbdulKadir Ahmad, Najeem Olawale among other pilgrims, told NAN that they could not wait to move to Arafat.

“By His grace, I am hoping to carry out the remaining religious rites in Muna and pray close to Arafat.

“I believe that prayer offered, with sincerity of purpose close to Arafat has much potency of being accepted by almighty Allah,” Bawa said.

“Besides using the golden opportunity to pray for myself and my family, I will also pray for peace and development in Nigeria,” Ahmad said.

Contributing, a cleric, Alhaji Tajudee Omotola, one of the religious leaders guiding the pilgrims, admonished them to address their minds squarely to the significance of the last aspect of their religious rites in Muna.

He said this they could do by engaging in constant prayers and getting closer to almighty Allah.

“As mortals, we have all sinned in one way or the other, therefore, it becomes incumbent on us as pilgrims at Arafat to ask for forgiveness of sin, Allah’s mercy, peace and development of Nigeria.

He promised continued preaching to the pilgrims at Muna on the need to be God-fearing and allow the lessons of Hajj permeate their lives when they returned to Nigeria.

A correspondent of NAN reports that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Saudi authorities have been up and doing to ensure a hitch-free Hajj.

The commission has transported over 44,000 pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, in addition to 18,000 pilgrims who came to the holy land through tour operators.

Saudi authorities have also introduced electronic system in Muna to monitor movement to ensure safety of pilgrims.

No fewer than 1.8 million pilgrims from all over the world, are performing this year Hajj in Saudi Arabia. (NAN)
DUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

NAHCON concludes flight of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia

NAHCON concludes flight of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia
By Dada Ahmed
Flights
Makkah, July 6, 2019 (NAN) The last batch of intending Nigerian pilgrims for the 2019 pilgrimage has departed Abuja on Flynas XY5821 to Saudi Arabia with 301 pilgrims on Tuesday.
According to the Command and Control Centre of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Makkah, the figure comprises 17 intending pilgrims from FCT, including 14 males and three females, Sokoto with 11 of eight males and three females, while Zamfara has 22 made up of 10 males and 12 females.
The commission also said that Kaduna State had 55 intending pilgrims, made up of 42 males and 13 females; Anambra with 25 intending pilgrims of 17 males and 8 females; Abia eight comprising six males and two females, while Cross River had 42 consisting of 33 males and nine females.
The centre also said that Delta had 28 intending pilgrims, made up of 17 males and 11 females, while Ebonyi has 74 comprising 53 males and 21 females.
Besides, Enugu State, it said, had 19 intending pilgrims of 15 males and four females and 86 officials.
The centre also disclosed that a total of 44,450 intending pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia in 93 flights.
“This marks the end of the phase one airlift operation for 2019 Hajj. Thanks to Allah and all of you for your support and prayers,” the commission said.
Meanwhile, installation of facilities at the Muna Camp to make it comfortable for the pilgrims ahead Aug. 10 Arafat, continued on Tuesday.
Pilgrims from all corners of the world will converge at the camp on Friday for three days, for the critical segment of their religious rites toward Arafat day.
This is in addition to the introduction of electronic system into the performance of Hajj at Arafat to monitor movement of pilgrims, check stampede and ensure their safety.
The efforts, according to the representative of NAHCON in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Tanko Aliyu, is to ensure that pilgrims get value for their money and make them attain an acceptable pilgrimage.
He urged officials of the commission and those of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to educate the pilgrims on the electronic system, to ensure compliance. (NAN)
DUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Hajj: Gov. Mohammed charge pilgrims to be responsible

By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Responbility
Bauchi, Aug. 4, 2019 (NAN) Gov. Bala Muhammad of Bauchi State has charged pilgrims to be responsible in Saudi Arabia and remain good ambassadors of their country.

Muhammad gave the charge while addressing the last batch of the intending pilgrims from the state ahead of their airlift to Madinah on Sunday.

He urged them to be responsible pilgrims that are cultured, mannered and religiously trained.

He enjoined them to use the opportunity of their presence in the Holy Land to pray for themselves, their families, Bauchi state and the country at large.

The governor said his administration has mapped out strategies towards promoting the welfare of the state pilgrims both at home and in the holy land.

Muhammad reiterated his commitment to introduce policies immediately after returning from the pilgrimage that would improve the well-being of the people of the state.

He urged the citizens not to relent in their support and prayed Almighty Allah to give him wisdom to implement all his campaign promises.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the last flight airlifted 545 pilgrims from Bauchi and Plateau states to Madinah.

Among the pilgrims on board were the governor and his deputy, Sen. Baba Tela; the Acting Executive Secretary of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Kasim Danlami Shall, and members of the state Hajj Steering Committee as well as officials from Plateau and Bauchi states. (NAN)
MAK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

Clerics in Madinah to enlighten Nigerian pilgrims on Hajj – Maigari

By Dada Ahmed
Clerics
Madinah, July 31,2019 (NAN) No fewer than 11 Islamic scholars (clerics) have so far arrived Madinah, at the instance of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria( NAHCON), to educate Nigerian pilgrims on the ethics of Hajj.

Alhaji Ahmed Maigari, the Madinah Coordinator of NAHCON, disclosed this newsmen in Madinah on Wednesday.

He said that apart from their spiritual function to ensure they gain maximum benefits from the pilgrimage, the clerics would also render civic education responsibilities to the pilgrims.

According to him, NAHCON had rented 16 five-star hotels, with 15,093 capacity bed space for the pilgrims in Madinah.

He said the hotels were located at Makkahziyya, close to the Prophet’s mosque in Madinah, to make praying easy for the pilgrims.

Maigari said that the innovation was to reduce long trek by pilgrims, from their hotel to the Prophet’s mosque, as well as  check motor accidents, in the event of crossing roads.

He said there had not been record of child delivering among Nigerian pilgrims in the 2019 Hajj, so far.

“It is now compulsory for every state to conduct pregnancy test for female pilgrims, before embarking on pilgrimage.”

The News Agency  of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the law, which became effective some years ago, is to discourage Muslim pregnant women from performing Hajj.

Also speaking with journalists, the President of the Nigerian students union, Islamic University, Madinah, Alhaji Abdulkabir Adegbeye, called on the pilgrims to emulate the virtues of Prophet Muhammad.

“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) demonstrated exemplary character while alive, it is incumbent on the pilgrims and indeed all Muslims to emulate his virtues.

“Muslims are expected to display love and live peacefully with  other members of the society, irrespective of religious inclination and other divisive expressions.

“I know they have been doing this, all I am saying is for us to enhance efforts in this regard,” he said. (NAN)
DUA/OOA/MST
Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

Hajj: Guide your pilgrims on acts of worship – S/Arabia appeals

Hajj: Guide your pilgrims on acts of worship – S/Arabia appeals

Makkah

By Dada Ahmed
Appeal
Madinah, July 24, 2019 (NAN) Sheikh Abdul Rahman Ibn AbdulAzeez Al Sudais, the designated Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the two holy mosques in Madinah and Makkah, has appealed to Hajj missions in Saudi Arabia to guide their pilgrims to remain focused on acts of worship.
The cleric, who made the appeal in Madinah during a meeting with countries whose pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for the 2019 Hajj, said that the main reason of the pilgrims’ visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was not to be involved in any form of political activity.
The Madinah office of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) quoted the Saudi official saying this in a statement in Madinah on Wednesday.
The Sheikh reaffirmed the commitment of KSA to give equal opportunity to all Muslims to perform Hajj once they comply with Saudi rules and regulations.
According to him, such rules and regulations are normally sourced from Islamic jurisprudence (Shari’ah).
The top official also admonished all pilgrims to respect the supremacy of Saudi aligned school of thought, once in the Holy land.
According to him, rulings under the Saudi support school of thought take precedence on general activities over those of other countries or individuals while in the Kingdom.
He further enjoined pilgrims to project the good image of their countries and urged representatives of the Hajj missions to extend goodwill message of Custodian of the two Holy Mosques to their respective pilgrims.
Meanwhile, 19,081 pilgrims from Nigeria have so far arrived Madinah as at Wednesday, according to NAHCON. (NAN)
DUA/IAA/MST
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims visit Qu’ran exhibition centre, Madinah

By Dada Ahmed
Qur’an
Madinah, July 20, 2019 (NAN) Nigerian pilgrims awaiting their transportation to Makkah from Madinah, in continuation of their Hajj rites on Saturday visited the Qu’ran exhibition centre in Madinah to enrich their knowledge of the Holy book.

Mr Abdulmalik Sani, who conductd the pilgrims round various sections of the centre, said it received not fewer than 7,000 visitors on daily seeking to learn more about the Holy Qu’ran and Islam in general.

He said the centre was established three years ago to enable more Muslims and other visitors know the history of the Qur’an and its essence as a guide to mankind.

Sani, a Nigerian PhD student at the Islamic University in Madinah, said the Qu’ran which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) more than a thousand years ago, preached peace, love and moral conduct to the people, particularly Muslims.

He called on the visiting pilgrims to leverage on the knowledge gained by their visit to the centre to learn more about the holy Qur’an and put such experience into practise in their interaction with other members of the society.

Accordingt to him, they can do this by being tolerant, patient, peaceful, loving and above all get closer to almighty Allah, according to the principle of Islam.

Some of the visiting pilgrims described their experience at the centre as wonderful and enriching.

They said additional knowledge of the Qur’an would boost their moral tone and enhance their interaction with other members of the society by making know more about Islam.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Madinah reports that a copy of the Qur’an was written more than 1,000 years ago.

Some of the pilgrims had earlier visited Mount Uhud and Quba Masjid (mosque), one of the oldest mosques in Madinah, among other historical sites. (NAN)
DUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Religion

2,181 Kaduna pilgrims departs to Saudi Arabia

By Tijjani Mohammad
Hajj
Kaduna,July 20. 2019 (NAN) The Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says no fewer than 2,181 pilgrims had been transported to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.

The board’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Yunusa Abdullahi, made this known on Saturday in Kaduna.

Abdullahi said that the fourth flight with 545 intending pilgrims from Soba, Zaria and Kaura Local Government Areas of the state departed Kaduna International Airport at 4.28 a.m on Saturday.

According to him, 1,301 males and 880 females were transported by Med view airline from the state to the holy land.

He disclosed that the first batch of Kaduna pilgrims that arrived Madinah last week would be transported to Makkah on July 21.

NAN reports that about 3,600 intending pilgrims are expected to perform this year’s pilgrimage from the state. (NAN)
TJ/CHOM/MST
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims visit historical sites in Madinah

Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims visit historical sites in Madinah

By Dada Ahmed
Visits
Madinah, July 17, 2019 (NAN) Thousands of Nigerian pilgrims have joined their counterparts from all over the world to visit some historical sites in the city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

The visit, according to Islamic scholars, is a mark of respect for the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), before the pilgrims would move to Makkah in continuation of the Hajj rituals.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Madinah reports that most of the pilgrims were spotted on top of the mountain Uhud, taking pictures of the mountain and other relics around it.

Some who spoke with NAN said the visit was an opportunity for them to appreciate tourism potential of the city of Madinah and its environs.

NAN gathered that mountain Uhud is where the second holy war between the people of Makkah and Muslim faithful took place on March 23, 625AH.

At the battle, a small Muslim Army defeated the large army belonging to the people of Makkah.

The pilgrims also visited Quba mosque, where they observed two raka’ats prayers, equivalent to lesser Hajj.

Other historical sites near the city of Madinah visited by the pilgrims include Dar Al Madinah, Cave of Bani Haram and Masjid (Mosque) Al Ghamamah.

Ghamamah mosque is said to be one of the oldest mosques in Madinah located in the place where the Prophet had his Eid prayer and prayed for rain in Madinah.

Meanwhile, thousands of pilgrims have continued to troop to Madinah in furtherance of their obligatory supplications to Allah at the one million capacity Prophet’s mosque in Madinah.

According to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), about 10,000 Nigerian pilgrims have arrived Madinah since the inaugural flight in Katsina on July 10.

The pilgrims were seen reciting the Holy Qur’an, offering prayers and exchanging pleasantries with one another. (NAN)
DUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

Intending pilgrims commend NAHCON over quality food

Pilgrims commend NAHCON over quality food
By Dada Ahmed
Food
Madinah, July 15, 2019 (NAN) Pilgrims from Kano State have commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for facilitating the supply of quality food for their breakfast and supper.
They made the commendation in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of their breakfast in Madinah on Monday.
One of the pilgrims, Alhaji Gbadamasi Sani, said he and his colleagues were satisfied with the quantity of food being served.
According to him, the positive development has given them value for their money and enhanced their comfort in Madinah.
He noted that not only were they served with their required ration there was always extra food for intending pilgrims who need extra food.
He said they were being served with semovita, rice, bread, tea, banana and orange, among others.
“Every intending pilgrim is satisfied with the food we are being served, we have no complaint about the nature of food given to us,” another pilgrim, Malam Ahmed Gunkure, said.
He, however, frowned at the unrestrained attitude of some of his colleagues who, he said, cashed on the development to indulge in over feeding.
Ahmed advised pilgrims to desist from such act in the interest of justice, adding that such behaviour, if not checked, could deny others their ration.
Meanwhile, Madinah has continued to receive pilgrims from Nigeria with Nasarawa State pilgrims being the latest arrivals.
Same goes for other nations such as China, Indonesia and other African countries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that besides their religious rites, derivable from Hajj, pilgrims from all walks of life, particularly Nigerians, are seen exchanging pleasantries with their colleagues from other nations to foster unity among nations.
About six states have so far transported their intending pilgrims to Madinah for Hajj, which will also take the pilgrims to Makkah two weeks from now. (NAN)
DUA/KOO/DUA/MST
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola