Muslim pilgrims from Kaduna State have offered special prayers in Saudi Arabia, asking God to bring an end to insecurity and strengthen peace and unity in Nigeria during the Day of Arafat.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, the government described the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafat, as one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar.
According to the statement, pilgrims are encouraged to pray to Allah for their personal needs, their families, loved ones, and their countries.
Speaking during the prayers, Sheikh Haliru Maraya stressed the importance of prayer in overcoming challenges. He said praying for leaders is part of Islamic teachings.
The cleric also said it is wrong for people to curse their leaders, describing such actions as un-Islamic. He added that no problem is too difficult to be solved through sincere and consistent prayers backed by faith.
Sheikh Maraya advised the pilgrims to continue praying in their tents after the special session until dusk, when they would move to Muzdalifah to continue other Hajj activities.
Some of the Islamic scholars who led the prayers included Sheikh Aliyu Telex, Imam Buhari Mararaban Jos, Alkali Abubakar Salihu Zaria, Malam Rabiu Abdullahi, Imam Tukur Adam Almanar, and Malam Aliyu Kassim.
Others were Sheikh Aliyu Rasheed Makarfi, Malam Lawan Na’ibi Ikara, and Malam Kassim Aminu.
After the prayers, the leader of the Kaduna State Hajj Delegation Committee, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, praised Governor Uba Sani for putting in place structures that helped ensure smooth Hajj operations.
The former Head of Kaduna State Civil Service also commended the Special Hajj Committee and staff of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency for their efforts toward a successful pilgrimage exercise.
Chairman of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Interfaith and Hajj, Hon. Naziru Abubakar, also praised the agency, saying it has become a standard used by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to assess other state pilgrims boards.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, said Governor Uba Sani set up a Special Hajj Committee in December 2023 to improve all aspects of the pilgrimage process.
He said the committee has carried out its responsibilities faithfully since it was inaugurated and added that the governor has consistently supported requests aimed at improving Hajj operations and pilgrims’ welfare.
