Lagos airlifts 1,353 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj

THE Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has successfully airlifted 1,353 pilgrims on four different flights from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj exercise.
Giving an update on the State Hajj operations, the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amir Ul-Hajj 2017, Dr. Abdul Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, said the pilgrims have been successfully housed in their respective hotels in Medina and activities of the holy pilgrimage have commenced in earnest.
He pointed out that pilgrims from other continents could not hide their feelings in view of the way Nigerian pilgrims have conducted themselves during their visit to the prophet’s Mosque and other important places that form part of the hajj exercise.
The Commissioner explained that the pilgrims have also begun visitation to historical sites in Medina; some of the places visited included Masjid Nabawi (Prophet Mosque), Raudotul Jannah, the site of the graves of prophet Muhammed, Abu Bakr and Umar.
The Amir Ul-Hajj has also informed intending Pilgrims who are to be airlifted to be ready for the journey as they could travel any moment from now.
He, however, advised them not to hold items on behalf of any other pilgrim, adding that the punishment for drug trafficking in the Middle East is death.
“Drugs could be hidden in onions, dry red chilies, canned drinks and other unsuspecting items”, Dr. Abdul-Lateef said.