Pilgrims urged to pray for Nigeria in holy land

MUSLIM pilgrims who are currently in the holy land for the 2019 hajj rites have been enjoined to pray for Nigeria at this critical period for government to transform the development of the nation to the enviable level and improve security and prosperity for all.

The Chief Missioner Nasiru l-lahi-Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Imam Abdul-Azeez Morufu Onike and the Amirul hajj of Lagos State, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, who made this appeal to pilgrims urged them to use the hajj opportunity for spiritual rebirth.

AbdulLateef also enjoined the pilgrims from the state to pray for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to succeed in office.
Addressing the pilgrims in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, he said the governor and his deputy, Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, deserve the support of Lagosians.

“We have no doubt in their competence to take Lagos to a greater height, but our support for their administration will go a long way to make it easy for them,” he said.

Noting that governing a state like Lagos is an onerous task, he said: “Lagosians need to be patient with the duo. They have been in the system before; they understand the task ahead and I am sure they will not disappoint us.”

The Amirul hajj also enjoined the pilgrims to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari to be successful in his efforts to lift the country to greater height, adding that Nigeria needs Allah’s help to move forward. He said: “Issues of insecurity, food crisis and economy among others, battling our country are too numerous for those at the helm of affairs to resolve. Only Allah can help them resolve it.”

Meanwhile, no fewer than 2,269 Lagos pilgrims have completed the performance of Umrah in the city of Makkah.Abdul Lateef said the pilgrims have also completed their pre-visit to Jabal Nuru, Jabal Thor, Jabal Arafat, Muna and Musdalifah. He said: “This is to prepare the mind of the pilgrims for the task ahead of them in the course of preforming the proper Hajj.

“ This will also awake the determination of the pilgrims to be ready to withstand the challenges that are likely to come with the exercise,” he said.However, Onike, at the farewell prayers and seminar for about 570 intending pilgrims performing the hajj through the tours and travels agency of NASFAT, the TAFSAN Tours and Travel on Sunday, 21st of July in Alausa, Lagos.

TAFSAN Tours and Travels is one of the leading Hajj and Umrah tours operators in Nigeria, and the company had the highest number of international pilgrims amongst all operators in last year’s hajj exercise. Onike quoted the noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) as saying: “Performing hajj is one of the best opportunities for Spiritual rebirth and renewal that any muslim can undergo.”

Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.”