Kwara State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, on Sunday, said a total of 3,102 intending pilgrims from the state would perform the 2024 hajj.
The board’s Executive Secretary, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, disclosed this at an orientation programme and special prayer for the intending pilgrims in Ilorin.
Abdulkadir said that the programme would enable the intending pilgrims to know the dos and donts of the exercise to be performed in Saudi Arabia.
“All the intending pilgrims are first-timers and we have to enlighten them on dos and donts of the holy land.
“It is not good to go to the holy land without knowing what to do there; it’s as good as wasting your money.
“Insha Allahu, by next Saturday, our fathers in Islam will be on ground to enlighten them more on how to perform tawaf and other hajj rites,” Abdulkadir said.
He, however, said that 100 intending pilgrims would not make the journey, as they could not pay the balance of their fares, amounting to N1.9 million each.
The chairman warned the intending pilgrims against carrying prohibited items into the holy land, saying anyone found wanting would face the wrath of the law.
Abdulkadir listed the prohibited items to include: kolanut, large quantity of dry pepper and more than $10,000 cash.
He said that barring any last minute change, intending pilgrims from the state would be transported to the Saudi Arabia on May 20.
Leading the prayer, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Bashir Mohammad-Solihu, urged the intending pilgrims to pray for peace and security of Nigeria while in the holy land.
He also advised them to fear God and forgive their offenders so that they too could be forgiven by God
