PILGRIMS Archives - Voice of Liberty NG

2023 Hajj: IHR calls for early 2024 preparations, lauds stakeholders, calls for review

August 1, 2023August 1, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. As the Hajj 2023 comes to an end with the airlift of the last batch of Nigerian pilgrims back home, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities, has called for early preparations for 2024 operations, quick review of this year’s while lauding stakeholders for the successes recorded. The call was contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of IHR, Ibrahim Muhammed. IHR acknowledged the efforts and support jointly extended to the cause of 2023…

Over 53,000 Nigerian Pilgrims airlifted back home… August 3rd sets for final flight

July 24, 2023July 24, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. About three weeks into the commencement of the in-bound airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi, over 53,000 pilgrims have been successfully airlifted back to Nigeria in 136 flights, with August 3rd set for the final flight. The in-bound operation began on July 4th with the airlift of 387 Sokoto pilgrims by Flynas; a Saudi base airline after the completion of the symbolic stoning of the Jamrats and completion of Hajj rites. Though initially bedeviled by non-provision of slots to many of the airlines, except the Flynas;…

Ringing the bell of 2024 Hajj… for the ears of Hajj administrators

July 23, 2023July 23, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Ibrahim Muhammed “A good plan, violently executed now is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.” Anonymous Recently, Independent Hajj Reporters released a public statement urging NAHCON and States Muslim Pilgrims Boards to immediately activate the process of registering intending pilgrims that wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj. The statement hinged its call on the early release of the 2024 Hajj calendar by the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah – detailing the allotted date for each major preparatory event preceding the 2024 Hajj days. In reaction, some critical…

Armed Forces Pilgrims decry abandonment at Jeddah Airport, more than 24 hours after leaving Makkah

July 23, 2023July 23, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. Nigerian Armed Forces Pilgrims to the 2023 Hajj have decried being abandoned in Jeddah Airport more than 24 hours after being evacuated from Makkah by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON for a 7pm flight Saturday. Speaking to Voice of Liberty and Liberty News via phone, one of the pilgrims, a retired General said they left Makkah 5pm Saturday 22 July, 2023 for a stipulated 7pm flight to Lagos by Azman, but later delayed to 5pm “with scanty information”. In his word “we left Mecca…

Over 45,000 Nigerian Pilgrims airlifted back home, final flight for August 3rd

July 22, 2023July 22, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. About two weeks into the commencement of the in-bound airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi, over 45,000 pilgrims have been successfully airlifted back to Nigeria in 116 flights, with August 3rd set for the final flight. The in-bound operation began on July 4th with the airlift of 387 Sokoto pilgrims by Flynas; a Saudi base airline after the completion of the symbolic stoning of the Jamrats and completion of Hajj rites. Though initially bedeviled by non-provision of slots to many of the airlines except the Flynas;…

2023 Hajj: Comparative Success Sans Masha’er

July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. Standing in the heart of Makkah, Saudi Arabia at Ummul-joud, staring at the gigantic Nigeria Hajj Commission office, nostalgically reminds you of the Hajj House located in the heart of the Central Business District Area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja. The similarities between these two gigantic structures stomach what it embodies. They are the symbols of the annual Muslim Pilgrimages to Islam’s holiest of places. And in-between, the rituals of lesser hajj; Umrah. Both structures in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia bear the signatures of…

High Temperature: Saudi advises pilgrims to observe Jumma’at at Mosques closer homes

July 6, 2023July 6, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. The Saudia Arabian authorities have advised pilgrims to observe Friday Jumma’at service at the Mosques closer to their residences due to predicted high temperature. The Saudi Arabia Metrological Agency stated that the temperature will reach 50 degrees centigrade Friday 8th July, 2023. The advise to observe the Jumma’at prayers in the Mosques nearest to their residences according to the authorities, is to ensure the pilgrims do not expose themselves to the harsh weather. Pilgrims are known to walk kilometers to observe even the five daily prayers…

Niger State Pilgrims Boards applauds Gov. Bago’s gesture to pilgrims in Saudi

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. Niger State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has applauded the gesture of the Governor Umar Bago towards the pilgrims of the state to the 2023 Hajj. The Executive Secretary Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Muhammad Awwal Aliyu expressed the pilgrims’ appreciation for paying pthem a visit in Muna Saudi Arabia. The Executive Secretary in a statement through his spokesperson, Hassan Danladi Idris said the pilgrims were really wowed by the governor’s gesture. Governor Bago had during the visit, gave financial assistance to the each of…

Non pilgrims’ invasion of Mina Tents causes inconvenience – Mutawif It’s your fault, we’ve no control over the place – NAHCON

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah The inconveniences suffered by Nigerian pilgrims in Mina Saudi Arabia, following insufficient tents that saw some pilgrims sleeping outside in harsh weather with no food and packed full toilet facilities is associated to the invasion of their tents by non pilgrims before their arrivals. Umar Bader Ali Bafakeek, the Chief Executive of Company Mutawifs for Pilgrims from African Non Arab Countries made this assertion at a meeting with the Nigerian Hajj authorities in Makkah. Bafakeek alleged that some of these non pilgrims mostly of African…

Hajj: Nigerian Pilgrims return flights begin Tuesday

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. The return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia is expected to commence Tuesday 4th of July, 2023. Engineer Umar Sanda Goni , Head of Aviation matters of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, made this known at the post Arafah meeting in Makkah. Goni said the process of early arrival, early exit by the pilgrims would be adhered to in airlifting of the pilgrims back to Nigeria after the Hajj exercise. He explained further that the Saudi authorities have come up with a…