As preparations for the 2024 holy pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina are in top gear, prospective pilgrims from Ogun State have been tasked to be good ambassadors by abiding with the rules and regulations of the Saudi Arabia authorities.
Executive Secretary, Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (OGMPWB), Alhaji Dauda Salau, gave the charge during the final seminar organised for intending pilgrims, at the Secretariat Community Mosque, Oke-Ilewo Abeokuta, stating that tremendous progress recorded in previous Hajj operations was due to adhering to the dictates of relevant authorities, expressing optimism that this year’s Hajj would be a success.
Alhaji Salau noted that the state government was committed to the welfare and well-being of the intending pilgrims, enjoining them to stick to the guidelines of Hajj operations.
In their separate presentations, the facilitators, Imaam Ansa-r-udeen Owode-Yewa, Imam Alhassan Ewuoso and Imam Lateef Ismail from Sa’adatul Abbadiyah Organisation, highlighted the importance of Hajj, while speaking on the topic, Obligations and Principles of Hajj, saying it was imperative for intending pilgrims to have good intentions before embarking on the journey, in order to validate their Hajj rites.
Also, head of the medical team, Dr. Nasrudeen Bello, advised prospective pilgrims to take good care of their health and drink lots of water to keep them hydrated while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Speaking, a representative from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Officer Lawal Kamal, stressed the need to maintain decency, keep to luggage policy and avoid conspiring with anyone to engage in drug trafficking and other related offences.
Commenting on behalf of other intending pilgrims, Mr. Giwa Hassan and Mrs. Idowu Saidat, lauded the state government’s efforts in putting a formidable arrangement in place, promising to be good ambassadors in the holy land.
