88,281 Nigerians In Saudi For Hajj

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said on Sunday that it had so far transported 88,281 Nigerians to Saudi Arabia for the 2011 Hajj.

This was contained in a statement issued in Makkah by the Commission, 48 hours to the closure of the King Abdul Azeez International Airport to pilgrims by the Saudi authorities.

The statement said the pilgrims were transported in 186 flights by the four airlines contracted for the exercise, which began on October 2.

They are Kabo Air, Max Air, Med View and Meridian.

The statement was, however, silent on the 10,000 pilgrims, who went to the Holy Land through private arrangements. They are generally referred to as international pilgrims.

Nigeria was allocated 99,000 seats this year by the Saudi Arabian Hajj authorities.

Meanwhile, the Saudi authorities said on Sunday that 1,895,149 pilgrims have so far arrived in the country for the Hajj.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Hajj said that 1,793,463 of the pilgrims came by air; 88,283 by road and 13,403 by sea.

As at the time of filing this report, more pilgrims from across the world were still arriving in the holy cities of Makkah and Medina.

NAN reports that the Saudi authorities have announced that Saturday, November 5 is Arafat Day, while Sunday, November 6, is Eid el Kabir.