Arafat Day: Kaduna pilgrims offer special prayers for Nigeria

Kaduna State pilgrims have prayed for the end of security challenges in the country, peace and unity across Nigeria, in Saudi Arabia on the day of Arafat.

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A press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Ibraheem Musa on Tuesday, noted that the day of ‘Arafah which is on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, is one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar.

The statement noted that pilgrims are enjoined to offer prayers to Allah for all their needs, pray for their families and their loved ones, including their nations.

Speaking earlier, Sheikh Haliru Maraya emphasized the significance of prayers to surmount all manner of challenges, adding that praying for leaders is in line with the teachings of Islam.

Mr Maraya who is a member of the Special Hajj Committee of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, argued that it’s wrong for people to curse their leaders, pointing out that doing so is un-Islamic.

He further said that there is no challenge on earth that cannot be solved through constant prayers with faith.

The Islamic cleric enjoined the pilgrims to return to their tents and continue praying, after the special prayers, till dusk when they will leave for Muzdalifah to continue with other Hajj rituals.

The Islamic clerics who offered the special prayers include, Sheikh Aliyu Telex, Imam Buhari Mararaban Jos and Alkali Abubakar Salihu Zaria.

Others that offered prayers are Malam Rabiu Abdullahi, Imam Tukur Adam Almanar and Malam Aliyu Kassim as well as Sheikh Aliyu Rasheed Makarfi and Malam Lawan Na’ibi Ikara, including Malam Kassim Aminu.

Speaking after the special prayers, the leader of the Kaduna State Hajj Delegation Committee, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, thanked Governor Uba Sani for putting all administrative structures in place to ensure a seamless Hajj operation.

Mr Abubakar who is former Head of Kaduna State Civil Service, commended the Special Committee on Hajj, the management and staff of the pilgrims welfare agency, for their commitment towards a successful hajj exercise.

Speaking also, the House Committee Chairman of Interfaith and Hajj at the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon Naziru Abubakar, also commended the pilgrims agency.

According to the Lawmaker, Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has become the benchmark with which the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, assesses similar state hajj agencies.

In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of the pilgrims agency, Salihu S Abubakar, noted that the Governor had constituted a Special Hajj Committee which he chairs, to sanitize all aspects of pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, in December 2023.

According to him, the committee has largely carried out the assignment with the utmost trust, since members were inaugurated.

Mr Salihu disclosed that Governor Uba Sani has always acceded to the committee’s demands that will enhance Hajj operations and pilgrims’ welfare.