The Ulama committee of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has warned intending pilgrims to avoid walking under the sun when they are in Saudi Arabia, saying that #Hajj2023 will record high temperatures.
The respected Muslim scholars gave this warning during a meeting with NAHCON team led by its Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan at Hajj House, FCT, Abuja on Wednesday, May 31.
Speaking with Muslim News after the meeting, Chief Imam of Prince and Princess Estate, Abuja, Imam Tajudeen Oyebanji commended the Commission’s leadership for its giant stride in making this year’s hajj a successful journey, saying that the Ulama will intensify efforts in sensitising all intending pilgrims from Nigeria.
Imam Oyebanji, who is also the JIBWIN Southern Coordinator in Nigeria, said that findings by the Ulama show that this year’s hajj will experience a record-high temperature based on reports from modern devices, calling on pilgrims to be extra careful and avoid walking under the sun.
“It’s very important for them not to go out of their tents in Muna or their hotel rooms in Makkah except and until it’s compulsory. If they must go out, they should use umbrella and avoid should walking barefooted to prevent dehydration”, he said
Speaking further, Imam Oyebanji said, “Another point of discussion that relates with the pilgrims is that we should know the essence of why we are going on hajj. We should be good ambassadors of our country and not be found with any hard drug. Even the regular drugs we use at home should not be put in our bags. This is because we do not know under what category such drugs will be classified by the authorities in Saudi Arabia.
“We have seen in the past how a man was jailed for 10 years for trying to deliver a drug (tramadol) to his friend from her mother while he was not aware of its nature. NDLEA will not be lenient with anyone found with hard drugs. Hence, all drug items should be given to the NAHCON medical team. They will list the drug items and certify it with the Saudi authorities. Pilgrims with drugs that are not certified might be arrested.”
The respected scholar said the members of the Ulama will be on ground to educate, enlighten and guide all the pilgrims throughout the hajj rites.
“Also, most people who go for hajj do not know how to perform the rites of hajj. Hence, the Ulamas have taken up the responsibility to visit pilgrims in their respective States. Most of us are fluent in different languages like Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Arabic and so on. With these, we can communicate with the pilgrims in whatever language they understand. Our aim is to ensure that the pilgrims understand the rites of hajj.”
He, therefore, called on the pilgrims to pray for Nigeria in the holy land, stressing that, “Praying and showing love for one’s country is encouraged in Islam. The Imams in Saudi Arabia usually pray for the King and the authorities in their country, hence we should remember our new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his VP, Ahmed Shettima and government at all levels. May Allah guide Asiwaju and make it possible for him to lead the country successfully”.
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