SAN FRANCISCO, September 22, (THEWILL) – The Borno State Government said on Sunday that it had so far spent a whopping N600million to ensure a hitch-free Hajj exercise and a rewarding experience for pilgrims going on pilgrimage to Mecca from the state.
And barring any unforeseen circumstances, all Muslim pilgrims from Borno State to Saudi Arabia for the 2013 Hajj exercise would have been airlifted by Wednesday.
The state’s Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha, who is also the state deputy governor, disclosed this on Sunday, saying more than 60 per cent of the 2,700 pilgrims from the state had already been airlifted to Saudi Arabia by Max Airline.
“Governor Kashim Shettima has approved a free ram for sacrifice and Ihram (white garment) for all our pilgrims. We also secured good accommodation in four and five star hotels, very close to Haram in both Mecca and Medina for our pilgrims,” he said.
He disclosed that all the pilgrims were taken straight to Medina instead of Mecca to facilitate their early return to Nigeria after the hajj exercise.
“The fourth flight with over 500 pilgrims will take off today (Monday) and our last flight will be on Wednesday, Insha Allah. It is gratifying that we did not have any problem because we are working as a team and all members of my committee see our assignment as a religious obligation and a service to humanity,” he said.
He therefore implored the pilgrims to pray for the return of peace to the state in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
