Assalamu Alaikum my dear brothers and sisters in Islam.
It is with gratitude to Allah the Almighty that we are gathered here today to bid farewell to our intending pilgrims as they embark on the Spiritual journey to the
Holy Land for the 2019 Hajj exercise. I note with appreciation that the number of
our intending pilgrims has increased this year, thereby giving more people of our
dear State the rare opportunity to fulfill the yearning of uttering “Labayk Allahumma Labayk” in observance of Hajj, the fifth Pillar of Islam.
Let me congratulate you for being part of this year’s spiritual voyage to Saudi Arabia. As you are aware, Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam which enjoins Muslims who have prepared spiritually with sound health to perform at least once in a life me. This religious undertaking is a major milestone in the lives of Muslims. It cleanses the sins of the servants of Allah and increases their Iman as well as Taqwa. I, therefore, urge you to reflect on the call of Allah in view of your status as His special guests and that of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallalahu Alaihi Wasallam).
My dear intending pilgrims, as you join the global communities in prayers at Holy sites designated as historical landmarks where prayers are answered by our Creator, it is imperative to commit the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nasarawa State, our communities, and your families to an era of social, economic, moral and peaceful
transformation. It is pertinent to state that Hajj is a unifying force of Muslims from different backgrounds in the service of one God. It, therefore, becomes obligatory upon all Muslims to perform it with humility, decency, righteousness, and all sense of decorum.
You are reminded that your spiritual mission is to strengthen your faith and
devotion as well as engage in acts of self-renewal, resilience, and re-dedication towards the worship of Almighty Allah. As part of this trip, I am informed that you have received the desired induction and orientation in accordance with the norms and values of Hajj exercise from scholars, the Department of State Service (DSS) and Board officials respectively. I am optimistic that you have acquired the basic knowledge as Pilgrims to the Holy land.
To ensure the security and welfare of the Pilgrims, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has indicated that there are plans to screen Pilgrims across
respective countries’ departure centers in an operaon code-named “Makkah Road Project”.
Consequently, Pilgrims are expected to be relieved of their hand luggage
from their departure zones and picked up upon arrival at designated hotels in Makkah and Madinah. Similarly, you must also confine yourself to the luggage limits of 8
kilograms for hand luggage and 32 kilograms for suit cases. I have received reports of the embarrassment Pilgrims face on their return journey due to excess luggage and
the important of unwanted liquid and food substances as well as disposal plastic, spoons, plates, cups, among others. I call on our pilgrims to be prepared for thorough screening starting at the Hajj camps where access restrictions would be imposed at the Pilgrims camp to maximize security. In addion, security surveillance would be intensified in the Holy land to prevent assault on Nigerians while Nigerians are not expected to keep unwanted guests (Takarai) at their hotels or residences. It is imperative to remind you that Nasarawa State pilgrims over the years exhibited good conduct that earned the State reputation for self-discipline, perseverance, and orderliness while in the Holy Land. This exemplary conduct has continued to elevate the status of the State amongst its counterparts in Nigeria and around the world. I, therefore, call on you to uphold these virtues for the good of all. You are to desist from all acts that will diminish our reputation while in Saudi Arabia.
Accordingly, you should avoid drug trafficking, money laundering, the prostitution,
absconding, general indiscipline, unpleasant statement, and other vices that will make you to deviate from the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
