Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Barr. Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has called on Muslims in the country to take the advantage of the spiritual period of Ramadan to seek divine intervention as the nation passes through difficult times in history.

The NAHCON boss, who believed that Nigerians, irrespective of religious and ethnic diversity, must be united in prayers, reminded them that the common enemies frustrating national security do not distinguish between Muslims and Christian, or bother about tribes.

In his Ramadan message released on Sunday, Zikrullah explained that the holy month personifies holiness when Muslims globally bow in sincere worship and repentance to the lord of the world while hopeful for positive change.

“Ramadan Mubarak to all Nigerian Muslims. Considering the circumstances in Nigeria, we as Muslims could not hope for a better time to observe Ramadan than now. All reasons to seek divine intervention and attitudinal change have emerged in our society.

“For us Muslims, Ramadan signifies a time to rejig sincere worship and repentance to the Almighty with a certainty of receiving a quick response, once done with sincerity and prayer conditions are fulfilled. Therefore, Ramadan is a time Muslims intensify prayers, accompanied by an increase in the practice of good deeds, above all reactivating the life force embedded in brotherhood.

“With this Ramadan essence in mind, I believe that we must confront the current phase our country is passing through as only transitory, with prayers and a resolve to individually change for the better, united by our ideals and not divided by our differences.

The enemies within do not distinguish between Muslim or Christian, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, or Igbo when they attack soft targets, whether in form of economic sabotage or assault on life,” Zikrullah noted.

He was optimistic that Muslims are full of hope that supplications put forward in this special month will be answered, essentially seeking protection for security operatives to overcome the challenges.

On the resumption of the less Hajj (Umrah), the NAHCON boss urged private operators to ensure adequate documentation of their activities, should cases of breach of contract arise. He expressed optimism that Nigeria would secure an “expanded quota to accommodate significant numbers of people yearning to perform 2022 Hajj.

“Therefore, the commission has made adequate arrangements to monitor the Umrah to protect the interest of the muntamireen from Nigeria (Umrah pilgrims). We hence call on all Umrah pilgrims and respectable Licensed Tour Operators to document their agreements and contracts for necessary arbitration in case of contract violation. On behalf of the Commission, I wish all our muntamireen a successful Ramadan Umrah pilgrimage.

“As we look forward to a successful Hajj season in 2022, it is my prayer that Allah, (to Whom belongs the most beautiful names) make Hajj 2022 a reality for all Nigerian Muslims who yearn to participate in this year’s exercise. This will come true, by Allah’s grace if Nigeria is allocated an expanded quota for her pilgrims,” Zikrullah said.