A cleric, Sheikh Nura khalid, has urged Nigerian pilgrims to exercise patience with Hajj authorities as they make effort to ensure they have a comfortable stay in Makkah.
Khalid made the call on Thursday in Makkah while addressing pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Oyo State on their arrival to Makkah from Madinah.
According to him, the Hajj exercise, especially when pilgrims are wearing the ihram (white two-piece garm), requires a lot of patience.
“There is need for attitudinal change as we are here not to pray for ourselves alone but also to pray for Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
He commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for offering hospitality services to the pilgrims.
“The hospitality has been fantastic because the quality and the quantity of the food given to pilgrims is perfect, and the hotel rooms are very close to Haram,” he said.
He urged NAHCON to put more efforts in influence Saudi authorities to increase participation of Nigerians in visiting the Rawda (the burial chamber of the Prophet).
“There are many pilgrims that came to Hajj, like myself, several times without having access to Rawda,” he said.
Also speaking, Abdullahi Barkindo, the Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman of Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrimage and Welfare Commission, commended NAHCON for its welfare to the pilgrims.
Barkindo spoke during the arrival of Adamawa pilgrims to Makkah from Madinah.
“Though I came in as an advanced team, NAHCON gave me accommodation in Madinah, and I appreciate them.
“They feed us two times a day, and the meal is nutritious. We must commend NAHCON for doing a wonderful job,” he said.
Muhammed Ibrahim, a board member of the Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, said that the NAHCON officials had been very cooperative in ensuring comfort for Bauch pilgrims.
“We have been working together with NAHCON officials here; they are nice, hardworking and very cooperative,” he said. (NAN)
