HAJJ 2024: LAGOS PILGRIMS REMEMBER LATE ABIBAT MOGAJI, AS FIRST BATCH DEPARTS MAKKAH
A special prayer session has been organised by the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to commemorate the 11th remembrance anniversary of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The prayer, which was held on Friday at the Mosque of Alsaad Flower Hotel 2, Misfalah, Makkah, was led by the Chairmam of the Ulamah (clerics), Imam Raji Opeyemi while the Amir-ul-Hajj, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, Board members, pilgrims, and other stakeholders were in attendance.
Speaking on the attribute of the late Abibatu Mogaji, a member of the Muslim Pilgrims Board, Prof. Kabir Paramole described her as a pious, dedicated, committed, and devout Muslim during her lifetime. He explained that her sacrifices and efforts at ensuring that Hajj performance becomes easy for Nigerians were second to none, hence, her nickname, ‘Mama Makkah’.
The occasion was also used to remember the late Alh. AbdurRasaq Aremu Gawat and Alhaja Ramota Bankole who died recently in Makkah, as well as other departed souls, praying to Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them Aljanat Fridaus.
Prayers were also offered for the success of the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces as well as the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
Meanwhile, the Board has concluded arrangements for the return trips of the 1,869 pilgrims who performed this year’s Holy pilgrimage through the State.
The Amir-ul-Hajj and Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, disclosed this while speaking at the remembrance prayer session. He said that 188 pilgrims comprising the elders, those with health issues and the ‘Lagos Internationals’ i.e. pilgrims from the USA and Europe, would depart on Sunday, June 23, on the same flight as Kebbi State pilgrims.
He stressed further that the full flight of the State would continue on Monday, June 24 with the second batch and this would run on a ‘first-in, first-out basis’, which means that there won’t be preferential treatment for any pilgrims, except if the occasion warrants it. He added that the status quo ante would remain until the last batch of pilgrims are airlifted back home.
While wishing them journey mercies, Layode 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 sphere of human endeavours when they return to Nigeria so that people can find them worthy of emulation.
While reiterating his advice that the pilgrims should maintain the 32kg allowed for the main luggage by the airline, Hon. Layode warned them to desist from carrying water and any other liquid items in their luggage. He assured them that five kilograms of ZamZam water had already been transported to Nigeria for each of them.
He appealed to those 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 period.