After spending a night at Mina, over two million pilgrims from across the world, including the 95,000 contingent from Nigeria, will converge on the Mount Arafat today, Tuesday.
Blueprint reports that over two million Muslim faithful performing the 2023 Hajj commenced the rites with a movement from Makkah to Mina Monday morning.
Blueprint correspondent observed that all the 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims and their counterparts from other parts of the world were conveyed in buses from their various hotels in Makkah to the 100,000 air-conditioned 3 million capacity tents.
The pilgrims, had while in Mina, which is located in a low-lying valley between Mount Arafat and Haram-Makkah Mosque-sought Allah’s favour and pleasure by engaging in supplications to the almighty Allah.
Nigerian tents which are categorised into 36 States and Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja were quite rowdy and congested.
However, after a series of calls to officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), the situation was resolved and the atmosphere became calm.
NAHCON explains tent challenge
Explaining what transpired, NAHCON Deputy Director of Information and Publication, Mousa Ubandawaki, in a statement Monday, said the shortage of adequate tent space in Mina was due to insufficient planning by the Mu’assasah, the companies contracted to take care of non-Arab speaking countries.
NAHCON admitted that this unforeseen situation was compounded by some pilgrims occupying multiple slots that could have been utilised by others, thereby exacerbating the shortage.
The commission empathised with the concerns and emotions and appealed for calm.
Blueprint observed that most Nigerian pilgrims were stranded, as only a few tents were provided for over 95,000 Nigerian contingent.
Consequently, hundreds of pilgrims were seen loitering around in the sun.
Acknowledging the shortcomings, the commission said it was fully aware of the shortage of adequate tent space in Mina, and assured it would be addressed promptly and transparently.
In the statement, Ubandawaki said being the first post-COVID full quota allocation, some challenges were anticipated.
It said: “NAHCON meticulously planned and prepared to overcome these anticipated difficulties. Regrettably, the primary issue currently faced by our pilgrims is the shortage of tent spaces. Rest assured, we have already taken proactive steps to tackle this matter, prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of all Nigerian pilgrims.”
He further said: “On the Mina outing, we initially planned 95,000 slots. As of 7:30am today, all states had completed their first phase of the movement to Mina except Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Borno, some tour operators and the South Eastern States only for the pilgrims to be met with shortage of tent spaces.
“Despite this, owing to insufficient planning by the Mu’assasah, there was a downturn in tent space deliveries. This unforeseen situation has been compounded by some pilgrims occupying multiple slots that could have been utilised by others, thereby exacerbating the shortage.
“We would like to assure all pilgrims that we are fully committed to resolving this situation swiftly and effectively. Our teams are working round the clock to provide the necessary support and additional resources to ensure the comfort and security of every Nigerian to alleviate our pilgrims’ inconveniences.
“We empathise with the concerns and emotions that may arise due to this unfortunate situation. Therefore, we appeal to all pilgrims to remain calm, prayerful, and dedicated to the purpose of their presence at the Hajj in its entirety.
“We are actively engaging with relevant stakeholders, including the Mu’assasah and other parties involved, to rectify the situation promptly. Our primary focus remains the wellbeing of our pilgrims, and we assure you that every effort is made to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling Hajj experience.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank all our pilgrims for their patience and understanding. We stand united with you on this journey of faith and are committed to providing the necessary support throughout this Hajj season.”
Our experience – Pilgrims
In a related development, some Nigerian pilgrims who spoke to Blueprint said their experiences in Mina humbled them.
A pilgrim from Niger state, Hauwa Mohammed, said the atmosphere really humbled her.
Hauwa said the dressing, feeding and sleeping arrangement under the tenth as provided for them, really portrayed that wealth is nothing.
She said: “Here in Mina, the rich, poor, young, and old are dressed in just white clothes wrapped around their bodies. That, to me, is symbolic. Don’t forget we as Muslims will be buried in just white clothes.
“Also, under a tenth, no difference of tribe or ethnicity or class. The Hausa, Igbo, and other tribes are accommodated in just a tenth. The rich, poor, and very poor were housed in just a tenth.
“This humbles me, because everything reminds me of the hereafter, everything here is temporary”.
Another pilgrim from Kebbi state, Ahmed Jadadi, said his experience in Mina cautioned him to continue to put Allah first in all situations.
Jadadi who lamented the poor coordination on the part of the officials of the State Pilgrim Welfare Board, said the reminder that they were here to seek Allah’s pleasure in this world and the hereafter, calmed them.
He said: “From the flight schedule to our movement to Mina, it has been one sad story to another, especially on the part of the State Officials that failed to plan well. But, we are here for Allah, and that alone is comforting. We pray to Allah to accept our Hajj. Allah will reward us with multiple blessings”.
On his part, a pilgrim from Oyo state, Opatola Abolade, said:”We thank Almighty Allah. Whatever situation you find yourself in, you need to abide by the tenets of Islam.
“You can see that everybody is wrapped in white, which signifies the sacred nature of this religion, unity, and equality among Muslims.”
Procession to Arafat
Meanwhile, Nigerian pilgrims, alongside millions of others from other nations, will after sunrise, Tuesday, proceed to Arafat.
Arafat also known as Jabal-ar Rahma, the Mount of Mercy, is about 70 meters in height.
The pilgrims will be there for about 7 hours seeking Allah’s forgiveness, mercy, and pleasure.
Similarly, the FCT contingent comprising 4,384 pilgrims arrived Mina, and ready for the Hajj rites.
Chairman FCT Ministerial Team 2023/1444 A.H Mallam Bashir Muhammad said this Monday at Mina, Saudi Arabia.
Muhammad said the FCT contingent was conveyed to Saudi Arabia via a total number of 14 flights.
He said every Hajj exercise comes with its peculiar challenge(s) adding that this year’s version was not different.
The team leader said arrangements were in place to ensure seamless movement of FCT pilgrims to the Arafat Plain on Tuesday.
Also speaking, Director FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Mallam Abubakar Adamu Evuti, expressed optimism that the exercise would be hitch-free.
