66,000 NIGERIAN HUJAAJ THIS YEAR

Abuja, 15 Dzulqa’dah 1436/30 August 2015 (MINA) – A total of 66,000 Nigerians will perform Haj this year, according to the National Haj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The first group of 300 pilgrims arrived Sunday, sources at the Nigerian embassy said. “The first flight that took off from the Kaduna international airport carried pilgrims from the Jemaa and Kajuru areas,” sources said.

All the Nigerian pilgrims will be in the country by Sept. 17, said Abdullahi Muktar Muhammad, the NAHCON chairman.

“There will be six airlines carrying the 66,000 Nigerian pilgrims to the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah on 13 aircraft,” said Abdullahi, Cii News quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting

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He said there would be no VIP tents and all the NAHCON officials would stay with the pilgrims. The Nigerian mission in the Kingdom, in cooperation with the NAHCON, have made comprehensive arrangements to ensure that their pilgrims experience a hassle-free Haj this year.

The NAHCON has closed its Jeddah office, with all officials now in Makkah and Madinah to ensure a smooth Haj for their nationals. The Nigerian government has set up a coordinating committee to supervise this year’s pilgrimage. The committee is funded by the service charge paid by pilgrims to the NAHCON.

Earlier, preparing for Haj 2015, the Nigerian Haj commission made medical screening mandatory for their pilgrims. The Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board made arrangements for the screening, which included tests for Ebola and other infectious diseases that have surfaced in the West African country in recent times.(T/R05/R03)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)