Hajj: Nigeria moves to avoid another diplomatic row, says women must travel with male guides

The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, has called on airlines operators and officials of the 2013 Hajj operations to ensure strict compliance with new rules.

Sambo handed down the warning while flagging off the inaugural flight for the 2013 Hajj in Maiduguri, Borno State on Saturday at the Maiduguri International Airport.

Over 520 Borno State pilgrims were on board the Max Air Boeing 747 Aircraft.
Saudi officials had last year deported 241 Nigerian women who travelled for Hajj, for not travelling with male chaperones (Maharam).

The incident caused a diplomatic row, which prompted the Nigerian government to summon Saudi Arabia envoy in the country to explain why his country took such step.

But as part of the latest directives, female pilgrims are to travel with male guides.

hajj 1Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, stated that the choice of Maiduguri was a signal that peace had finally returned to Borno State.

“The choice to hold the Hajj 2013 inaugural flight in Maiduguri is indication of Government’s efforts at ensuring that the protection of lives and property of the Nigerian citizenry is sacrosanct. It is also to send signals that peace has finally returned to Maiduguri and its environs, “he said.

“This administration has always been supporting of the welfare of the Muslims. In that regard, the administration has assisted Nigerian pilgrims through the provision of Consular, medical and exchange support services through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

“Let me enjoin all pilgrims to dedicate themselves to spiritual revival of their souls so that they can achieve good life on earth and aspire for an eternal bliss in the hereafter.”

He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to Saudi Arabia authorities for their continued support and the warm reception accorded him and his entourage during the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) earlier in the year.

The vice president praised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, state chapters, the Sultan of Sokoto and permanent National Amirul Hajj, Sa’ad Abubakar III, for their contributions to the success of hajj operations.

Speaking, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for holding the event in Borno, saying that it was a part of confidence building. He prayed almighty Allah to grant the pilgrims “Hajj mabrur,” stressing that the state would continue to provide comfort to pilgrims.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Mr. Abubakar, thanked the Federal Government for giving concessions to both pilgrims and airlines in terms of exchange of currency and other airport charges.

He called on pilgrims to shun all vices during the exercise and tasked security agencies to be vigilant in ensuring that no pilgrim carried prohibited materials.

Also in attendance were Deputy Governors of Borno and Yobe States, Umar Mustapha and Abubakar Aliyu; the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Goni Aji; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Kachalla Abubakar; federal and state legislatures; top federal and state government officials, as well as Royal Fathers and Muslim leaders.

Source: DailyPost

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