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First batch of Nigerians depart for Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj

By Shakirah Adunola
22 January 2021   |   4:05 am
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gradually resumed umrah pilgrimage for Muslims across the globe after it was suspended amid the spread of covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Nigeria Umrah pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gradually resumed umrah pilgrimage for Muslims across the globe after it was suspended amid the spread of covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Nigerian pilgrims have again begun the umrah rites in the holy land as 75 pilgrims left recently for Saudi Arabia.

The kingdom had suspended the umrah in March 2020 and later scaled back the annual hajj witch was a blow to millions of pilgrims around the world, amid fears that the coronavirus could spread to Islam’s holiest sites.

The media unit of the National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, Abuja, said a total of 75 pilgrims departed Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, with 50 from Eminista Travels and tours and 25 from Earth Travels.

The development signifies the opening of Saudi air space for Nigerians after Umrah was banned in February 2020.

Immediately the 75 Nigerian Umrah pilgrims arrived in Madinah, they proceeded on a three-day quarantine as part of Saudi Arabia’s precautionary measures to contain the spread of coronavirus before they will move to their hotels at the end of the quarantine period.

It was gathered that they will begin their Umrah rites on Sunday with Ziyyarah to holy sites on Sunday and thereafter move to Makkah for the Umrah rites.

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