The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for the fund provided to augment the shortfall in the Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) for the state pilgrims who are performing the 2024 Hajj in the holy cities of Mekkah and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Council in a statement by its Secretary-General, Kamaldeen Akintunde,Esq, made available to Edu-Biznews on Thursday in Abeokuta,
described the Governor's action as a gesture that will enhance unhindered Hajj conduct and smooth performance of the rites by the pilgrims
The gesture according to the Council, will equally ease the affairs of the pilgrims while in the Holy land.
The Council described the Governor as a faith minded personality who exhibited the Islamic principles of tolerance, caring, friendly and supportive of good things.
The Muslim body implored the Governor to sustain his kind heartedness and goodness to the people to enhance the realisation of his "Building Our Future Together"' Agenda of his government.
OMC in the statement, enjoined the pilgrims to reciprocate the gesture by abiding with the Saudi laws and avoid any act that will tarnish their name, family or damage the country's image.
The volatility of the foreign exchange rate has weakened the Naira currency, thereby causing a shortfall in the exchange rate used by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in calculating the Hajj fare (inclusive of BTA) and that (rate) used by the apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) .
NAHCON had used the exchange rate of N1,252.01 per dollar to calculate the Hajj fare (BTA inclusive) to give 500USD to each of the pilgrims but was eventually paid 415USD by the apex bank who used the exchange rate of 1, 530.86
Governor Abiodun however quickly intervened by paying the shortfall of N119,560,912.70 to 934 pilgrims for this year's spiritual excercise from the State
Meanwhile the pilgrims from the State are in the holy land of Saudi Arabia, visiting some significant historical sites in Medina, also known as Zyarah.
Top on the list of places visited include, Masjid Quba, the first Mosque established by Prophet Muhammad and Mount Uhud, where the second most important battle between the non-believers of Makkah and a few Muslim Faithful of Medina took place, and the Grave of Hamza and the Martyrs of Uhud.
During a gathering at the base of Mountain Uhud one of the revered sites, Head of Operations, Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Imam Abdulfattah Buhari, emphasised the importance of these sites, saying they were crucial to the religious duty of every pilgrim.
Imam Buhari underlined the significance of the visits in deepening the faith of pilgrims, allowing them to truly connect with the teachings of the Holy Quran and the rich history of the life of Prophet Muhammad, as well as his devout followers (Sa’aba), as documented in Suratul Imran, Chapter 3 verse 97.
Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad on promoting peace through Islam, Imam Buhari encouraged the pilgrims to embody the essence of the religion and emulate the noble traits of the Messenger of Allah.
He advised them to adhere strictly to the guidelines provided by the authorities to ensure a meaningful pilgrimage, urging them to utilise the sacred opportunity to offer prayers for the wellbeing of the state and Nigeria.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the pilgrims, Alhaja Tawakalitu Kazeem, showered encomiums on Governor Dapo Abiodun for the pilgrimage, adding that her experience so far in this year’s pilgrimage was better than that of few years ago.
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