Arafat Day: Kaduna pilgrims offer special prayers for Nigeria
Kaduna State Pilgrims Pray for Peace and Security During Arafat
Saudi Arabia – Pilgrims from Kaduna State gathered in Saudi Arabia on the Day of Arafat to pray for the end of security challenges in Nigeria, as well as for peace and unity across the nation.
A statement released on Tuesday by Malam Ibraheem Musa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, highlighted the significance of Arafah, observed on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, as a pivotal day in the Islamic calendar. The statement encouraged pilgrims to offer prayers for their personal needs and for the well-being of their families and communities.
Sheikh Haliru Maraya, a member of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency’s Special Hajj Committee, stressed the importance of prayer in overcoming challenges. He expressed that it is essential for believers to pray for their leaders, emphasizing that criticizing them is contrary to Islamic teachings. “There is no challenge on earth that cannot be resolved through steadfast prayer and faith,” he said.
The cleric urged pilgrims to continue their prayers in their tents until dusk, when they would leave for Muzdalifah to partake in other Hajj rituals.
Various Islamic clerics participated in the special prayers, including Sheikh Aliyu Telex, Imam Buhari Mararaban Jos, and several others.
After the prayers, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, leader of the Kaduna State Hajj Delegation Committee, expressed gratitude to Governor Uba Sani for establishing effective administrative systems to facilitate a smooth Hajj operation. Abubakar, a former head of the Kaduna State Civil Service, commended the Special Hajj Committee and the management of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency for their dedication to a successful pilgrimage.
Hon. Naziru Abubakar, Chairman of the House Committee on Interfaith and Hajj in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, also praised the agency. He stated that the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has become a model for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in evaluating other state agencies.
During his welcome address, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, Executive Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency, noted that the governor had formed a Special Hajj Committee to oversee all aspects of the pilgrimage in December 2023. He confirmed that the committee has been effective and trusted since its inauguration and highlighted the governor’s responsiveness to the committee’s needs to enhance Hajj operations and ensure the welfare of pilgrims.
