Touchaheart Nigeria reports that the initial group of Lagos State Hajj pilgrims has arrived home on Monday, July 10.
With the government releasing a statement on Tuesday, that 380 Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia had arrived the previous day.
The pilgrims arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, about 4 p.m. on Monday after departing the King AbdulAzeez International Airport in Jeddah on a Flynas Airline XY 7656 at 11.30 a.m. Saudi Arabian time.
In a statement, the Amir-ul-Hajj, Anofiu Elegushi, referred to the flight as “special” and mentioned that it accommodated individuals such as the older people , those with medical conditions, and others.
“There are 185 male and 195 female pilgrims, led by AbdulWaheed Shonibare, a member of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, representing the Ikeja division,” the statement included.Elegushi stated, as “new Alhajis and Alhajas”, the pilgrims were similar to “newly-born babies without any sins.”
He stated that if they can avoid committing faults, their new status will last for at least 41 days in accordance with Islamic rules.
The Amir-ul-Hajj made an appeal to the remaining pilgrims awaiting transportation, urging them to be patient. He assured them that all the required arrangements had been made to ensure that everyone would be airlifted back to Nigeria as quickly as possible.
Taofeek Lawal, the assistant director of public affairs for the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, confirmed the pilgrims’ arrival to our correspondent on Tuesday. He said, “The pilgrims’ flight landed at the MMIA around 4pm on Monday.”
