PHOTOS: Katsina stands still as millions attend Sheikh Inyass maulud

Over three million Muslims have converged on Katsina on Saturday to celebrate the 40th Annual National Maulud in honour of Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse.

21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that the Saturday event was the zenith of a week long event tagged “Makon Shehu.” Lectures, Wazifa religious convergence and visitations mark the week long events before the conclusion on Saturday.

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Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, venue of the Maulud celebration, was filled to its brim while all major roads leading to the stadium were also full with Tijjaniya adherents.

The Chairman, organising committee, Sheikh Muhammad Hadi-Balarabe, said that they anticipated about 4 million guests from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as West and North African countries.

It was gathered that almost all hotel rooms in Katsina metropolis were occupied by those who came from far places, the situation made some residents to provide their unoccupied houses for their visitors as a demonstration of hospitality.

Those who could not afford to lodge in hotel rooms slept in the stadium in spite of the cold weather.

Before 9a.m. of Saturday, the stadium had already filled to capacity, both the seats and pitch were occupied by people, while all available souraounding spaces inside the stadium were later occupied by people.

The dual carriage road linking to the venue from the WTC roundabout up to Barhin roundabout was filled up by people.

It was also observed that the event presented opportunities for traders, especially those selling food, water, soft drinks, herbal medicine, clothing materials, books, among others to make brisk businesses.

Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, Tijjaniya Khalifa in Nigeria, representative of the Khalifa of the Tijjaniya Order, Sheikh Muhammad Quraish Ibrahim Niasse, Malam Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, were amongst the top dignitaries that graced the occasion.

In his remarks, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State called on Muslim faithful in the country to continue to be united.

The governor said fervent prayers by Muslim faithful has helped the state as it tries to overcome its security challenges.

“It’s a great privilege to host such a number of Qur’anic memorizers and religious scholars in Katsina. We can only give gratitude to God for what we’ve seen so far in Katsina. God is answering our prayers… God answers the prayers of His servants. Today in Katsina, the security situation is gradually improving. I’m using this opportunity to thank the people for including the state in their prayers,” he said.

Addressing newsmen on the sidelines, the representative of the Tijjaniya World Order, Sheikh Quraish Ibrahim Niasse, said Nigerians have been in the forefront in the propagation of Islam in West Africa.

The last time Katsina hosted the Tijjaniya Maulud celebrations was in 2016.