HAJJ 2023: FIRST BATCH OF LAGOS STATE PILGRIMS DEPART MAKKAH FOR LAGOS
No fewer than 380 Lagos State pilgrims participating in the just concluded 2023 holy pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will arrive in Lagos, on Monday.
The pilgrims departed King AbdulAzeez International Airport, Jeddah, aboard a Flynas Airline XY 7656 at 11.30 am Saudi Arabian time and are expected to land safely at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, between the hours of 3.00 and 3.30 pm Nigerian time.
The flight, described as a ‘Special Flight’ by the Amir-ul-Hajj, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, has on board the elderly, those with medical challenges and others. There are 185 male and 195 female pilgrims, led by Hon. AbdulWaheed Lolade Shonibare, a member of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, representing the Ikeja division.
While wishing them a safe journey, Prince Elegushi urged them to guide their new status jealousy, saying that as new Alhajis and Alhajas, they are like newly born babies without any sins. He added that in line with Islamic principles, their new status remains intact for at least 41 days if they can avoid committing sins.
He also admonished them to allow the exemplary conduct they exhibited whilst in the holy land to reflect in their dealings with others in every human endeavour when they return to Nigeria so that people can find them worthy of emulation.
The Amir-ul-Hajj appealed to the pilgrims yet to be airlifted to exercise patience as necessary plans have been put in place to ensure that everyone is airlifted back to Nigeria within the shortest possible time.
While reiterating that the pilgrims should maintain the 32 kg allowed for the main luggage, Elegushi warned them to desist from carrying water and any other liquid items in their luggage.