Religion

Last Batch of Oyo Pilgrims Arrive Nigeria

By Web News 427

By Olawale Asake

The last batch of Oyo pilgrims have returned to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia where they performed the holy pilgrimage to Islamic holy sites in Madinah and Makkah.

The pilgrims, which left Jeddah at 10 pm on Tuesday night landed safely at the Murtala Muhammed Airport at 4:30am on Wednesday morning after a six hour journey. 

The last batch numbering 464 pilgrims, comprise the remaining pilgrims from the state as well as personnel and members of the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board and some top government officials.

Recall that the pilgrims left Nigeria for Saudi Arabia on the night of Saturday July 3, 2023 to partake in this year’s hajj exercise alongside over two million other Muslim faithful from Nigeria and 160 countries of the world.

The arrival of the last batch completed the return of the 1446 Oyo pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrims expressed gratitude to Allah, Governor Seyi Makinde and the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board for the successful spiritual trip

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Religion

Oyo Pilgrims Arrive Mina to Commence Main Rites

By Web News 305

By Nafiu Busari

Pilgrims from Oyo State are now in Mina to prepare for some important Hajj rites.

The pilgrims, numbering 1,446, left their hotels in Makkah for Mina at 5:30 am (3:30am Nigerian time) on Monday morning.

 Mina, a valley in the South Eastern part of Makkah will accommodate the pilgrims for a couple of nights in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. 

It is nicknamed “City of Tents” because of the massive presence of over 100,000 air-conditioned tents which will house Oyo pilgrims and their counterparts from about 160 countries.

 With a capacity of accommodating up to 3 million people, Mina is regarded as the largest Tent City in the world.

From tent city of Mina, the pilgrims are expected to ascend Mount Arafat, an important rite which precedes the celebration of the Muslim festival of Eid El Kabir.

In Islamic tradition, Hajj exercise is regarded as incomplete without the ascension of Mount Arafat

The pilgrims are also expected to proceed from Mina to a nearby village called Musdalifa to perform the symbolic throwing of stones at the Devil between sunrise and sunset, in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s stoning of Satan who tried to discourage him from sacrificing his son in fulfilment of his vow to Allah.

The pilgrims from Oyo State presently in Mina included the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Adebayo Lawal, who is also the Amir ul Hajj, and other dignitaries.

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Religion

Pilgrims back in Makkah after 5 days under Tents in Muna

By Web News 619

Many Pilgrims participating in the ongoing Hajj exercise today returned to their base in Makkah after the symbolic throwing of the last set of stones at the devil at Jamrah. 

While some left for Makkah after the throwing of stones at Jamrah, others left for their tents in Muna where buses later conveyed them back to Makkah. 

However, some pilgrims might still stay back in Muna if they were not convinced that all the stones they threw at Jamrah touched the walls and would have to repeat the exercise tomorrow before leaving for Makkah. 

.While in Makkah the pilgrims are expected to continue with the circumambulation of Kaaba called Tawaf as well as running from Safar to Marwa, which symbolized the struggle of Prophet Ibraham’s wife, Hajar while looking for water in the desert for her thirsty son before Allah ordered spring out, which is the origin of today’s healing water called Zam-zam.

After completion of the rites in Kaaba either today or tomorrow, pilgrims have now completed the Hajj rites and are free to remove the white garments they put on the past few days.

Our Correspondent, Ridwan Fasasi reports that those who have not visited the mosque of Prophet  Muhammad in Medina could now do so while those who have been there earlier would be preparing for farewell circumambulation when they were ready to depart Saudi- Arabia. 

Rilwan Fasasi