NAHCON warns pilgrims against political discussions, campaigns during hajj exercise

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned pilgrims against engaging in any political activities, including discussions and rallies that are detrimental to the sanctity of the host country.

It also admonished pilgrims to abide by the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia, especially on crowd control.

A statement by the spokesperson of the commission, Fatima Usara, yesterday, in Madinah, advised Nigerian pilgrims to concentrate on acts of worship, which is the primary purpose for embarking on hajj.

Usara said the warning became necessary considering that the hajj season is approaching its peak, a time when pilgrims from several nations of the world converge to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.

“Pilgrims are cautioned to desist from joining any group or organisation from any part of the world that intends to hold political/religious demonstrations or campaigns. Neither should they engage in political discussions detrimental to sanctity of the host country nor allow themselves to be cajoled into joining any group that plans to violate Saudi Arabia’s hajj guidelines,” she stated.

Usara stressed that displaying banners or pamphlets with political undertones, whether on Muna tents, buses or pilgrims’ accommodations is not allowed, saying only Islamic literature is to be carried along.

The commission further counselled pilgrims, in their own interest, to follow instructions of their respective pilgrims welfare boards or tour operator companies, as the case may be.

Meanwhile, the representative of NAHCON in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Aliyu Tanko, also yesterday, disclosed that about 25, 000 Nigerian pilgrims have been transported to Makkah from Madinah in preparation for their hajj rituals.

He disclosed that more pilgrims were on transit from Jeddah and Madinah to Makkah to take part in the rituals that would start on Friday, August 9 and is expected to reach its peak on the Day of Arafah that holds on Saturday, August 10.