•Ogun Female Pilgrims
As pilgrims from around the world ascend Mount Arafat to mark the climax of Hajj for year 2024, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State in Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria, has congratulated all pilgrims from his state on their Mount Arafat experience, urging them to remain steadfast in their prayers for the country.
The Daily Crucible reports that Muslims from around the world have assembled on a sacred hill near Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the holiest day of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
The spiritual exercise at Mount Arafat, designated as the Hill of Mercy, is often the most remarkable for pilgrims, who stand shoulder to shoulder, feet to feet, seeking Allah’s mercy, blessings, prosperity and good health.
The pilgrims also use the occasion to intercede and pray for the peace of their nations and leaders around the world.
The Daily Crucible reports that a day earlier, Ogun pilgrims prayed for Nigeria, the most populous black nation on earth, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governor Abiodun .
The pilgrims in their thousands, including pilgrims from Ogun State, walked to the Mount Arafat, said to be located about 20km (12 miles) southeast of Mecca even as many raised hands in worship mode with solemn tears streaming down their faces as they navigated the slopes of the rocky hill and the surrounding area during the predawn exercise.
It is believed that Prophet Muhammad delivered his final speech, known as the Farewell Sermon, at the sacred mount 1,435 years ago. In the sermon, the prophet called for equality and unity among Muslims.
The Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings on Earth. The rituals officially started on Friday when pilgrims moved from Mecca’s Grand Mosque to Mina, a desert plain just outside the city, according to Aljazeera, a Qatar based global televison network.
Commending the citizens of Ogun State among the pilgrims at Arafat, Saudi Arabia in a brief goodwill message delivered via telephone, Abiodun expressed his gratitude to Allah for the successful pilgrimage thus far.
“I am delighted that you have successfully ascended Mount Arafat, which is no easy feat. It has required significant effort, and we at home have been praying for the successful completion of your Hajj this year. We will continue to pray for your safe return home,” he said.
The Governor encouraged all the pilgrims to continue supporting the current administration through prayers, emphasizing the crucial role of prayers in enhancing the government’s efforts and agenda for the people.
In response, the Consultant to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Lawal Iskeel, expressed his appreciation to the Governor for prioritizing the welfare of the pilgrims, remarking that Abiodun had once again demonstrated his commitment to all Ogun citizens without bias for any religion.
He noted that despite being a Christian, Abiodun had stood by the Hajj operations through various challenges, especially the Governor’s recent intervention in covering the Pilgrims’ BTA shortfall late last month as a notable example of his unwavering support.
In his sermon, the Head of Operations, Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam AbdulFatai Buhari, urged the pilgrims to have the fear of God, emphasizing its significance in Islam.
He advised them to fear God both in public and in secret, advocating for them to follow in the steps of Prophet Mohammed by seeking the mercy and forgiveness of Allah at all times.
Imam Buhari reminded the pilgrims of their fortune in witnessing the day of Arafat, a significant event in Islam made special by Allah, calling on them to seize the opportunity to draw closer to Allah in their thoughts and deeds.
In their respective remarks, the Amir-ul Hajj, Sheikh Tajudeen Adewunmi, and the Chairman, Ad-Hoc Committee for Hajj 2024, Sheikh Hussein Kehinde, expressed their gratitude to Governor Abiodun for ensuring the smooth operation of the Hajj for the year.
They urged the pilgrims to seize the remaining opportunities of the pilgrimage to deepen their prayers to God.
Also appreciating the Governor in his Vote of Thanks, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Dauda Salau, noted that the success of the Hajj operations thus far would not have been possible without the full support of the state government, calling on the pilgrims to remember the present administration and its functionaries in their prayers as they complete the rest of the Hajj rites.
