Islamic scholars and pilgrims from Nigeria spent a significant part of Arafat Day, the most important day in the Hajj rituals, to pray for peace, national unity and economic prosperity of Nigeria.
A team of clerics, under the umbrella of Ulama Committee of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), took turns to offer prayers at a special session organised by the committee in collaboration with NAHCON leadership.
The worshippers used the ocassion to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to succeed by asking the Almighty Allah to give the President and his team the wisdom and strength to confront many challenges facing Nigeria and its citizens.
In his special sermon for the day, Sheikh Ahmad Suleiman, a Kano-based famous Quranic reciter, outlined the significance of the day, saying Arafat Day is the best of all and the day prayers are answered.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to guide President Tinubu in piloting the affairs of Nigeria just as urged the President and leaders at all levels of authority in Nigeria to be just and fair to all people irrespective of the their background.
Cleric after cleric at the special gathering prayed for peace and unity of the country.
In his remarks, chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, congratulated all the Nigerian pilgrims for the opportunity to be part of the historic Arafat Day and a successful Hajj.
He said Nigeria, with over 95, 000 pilgrims, has the 5th largest contingent of pilgrims at the Arafat ground in this year’s exercise and commended the Ulama for organising the national prayer for the country, urging them and pilgrims not to relent in praying for the wellbeing of the Nigerian nation.
The NAHCON chairman used the occasion to express appreciation to President Tinubu and his vice president, Senator Kashim Shettima, for the support given to NAHCON to make this year’s Hajj a huge success for Nigerians.
He also requested for special prayers for Saudi Arabia for its sacrifices to ease religious rites of the guests of Allah, who come visiting the country on pilgrimage, lesser Hajj and other religious activities, saying after the crying of Nigerian pilgrims over shortage of tents, the country’s authorities have allocated additional tents that can accommodate 10, 000 pilgrims to Nigeria.
He commended the pilgrims for their patience and friendly actions during the Hajj exercise despite the weather not friendly with temperature at 48°C.
Meanwhile, after the special national prayer for Nigeria at the Arafat ground, Nigerian pilgrims were transported in batches to Muzdalifah where they will spend the night before moving to to Muna on Wednesday morning, before beginning movement to Jamarat in batches for the symbolic stoning of satan.
