The second batch of pilgrims from Kwara State that performed this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia have arrived safely in Ilorin, the state capital.
The pilgrims who are 560, including eight NAHCON officials, landed at the Ilorin International Airport via Max Air at about twenty one minutes past three in the early hours of today (Friday).
They departed the Jeddah International Airport at about twelve midnight Saudi Arabian time and were seen off by the officials of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
With the arrival of the first and second batches, 1,193 pilgrims have so far been airlifted out of the 1,406 that were allocated to the state by NAHCON for this year’s pilgrimage.
Speaking on the exercise, the Chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr Abdulkadir Sambaki, disclosed that all the pilgrims are in good health condition and no one was arrested for any offence in the Holy land.
Dr Sambaki said that the projected date of the final flight for the remaining 368 pilgrims, including officials, is either the 31st of this month or the first of August.
Also speaking on the exercise, the Special Assistant, Religion to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Mallam Ibrahim Danmaigoro praised the efforts of the state governo and the Amirul Hajj Dr Awa Ibraheem for taking good care of the pilgrims and also appreciated the pilgrims for their good conduct.
Two of the pilgrims who were part of the latest arrivals, Alhaji Mustapha Ibrahim and Alhaja Rukayat Joke Yusuf thanked the Almighty Allah for the safe trip and prayed God to grant the remaining pilgrims safe trip back home.
They commended the state government and the board for the arrangements put in place while in the holy land and their hitch free trip back home, but noted that there could still be better arrangements in further Hajj operations.
Alhaja Rukayat Yusuf, however, observed that some of the pilgrims did not abide by the directive of the Saudi Authority that they should not carry excess hand luggage, particularly large zamzam water which had to be seized from them.
