Hajj: First batch of Kano pilgrims departs Saudi Arabia

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The first batch of Kano pilgrims, who performed this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, departed Makka en-route Nigeria.

They are expected to land at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

This was contained in a Statement signed by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Chairman, Kano State media team for 2023 Hajj.

According to Bature, the pilgrims left Makka to King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, at about ten o’clock Saudi time Saturday morning.

“Their flight is expected to take off in the evening on the same day.

“The process of their departure started on Friday night with the screening of their hand luggage to ensure compliance with National Hajj Commission’s policy.

“On Saturday morning the pilgrims along with their hand luggage assemble to board luxurious buses to King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah.

“Some of the pilgrims interviewed Zubairu Hudu Sani from Doguwa, Sirajo Hudu from Tudunwada, Maryam Abdullahi Garun Malam and Hadiza Hamisu from Bebeji local governments thanked Almighty Allah for granting them the golden opportunity to performed pilgrimage and commended Governor Yusuf for a hitch free Hajj,” the Statement added.

The statement further stated that, in an interview with journalists shortly after bidding a farewell to the pilgrims, the Director Operations, Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Panda expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful operations.

Alhaji Panda said, “every pilgrim is expected to spend a minimum of 40 days to 43 days in the Holy Land before he or she would be airlifted back to Nigeria.”

According to him, “the return home journey would be strictly on the initial sequence of pilgrims’ journey to the Holy land, ‘first come first leave’ principle to be fair in discharging the duty.

“The tradition of first come, first return will be observed as a principle and in line with the Saudi guidelines for fairness and equity.”

While appealing to pilgrims and the operators to conduct the home-bound journeys orderly, he, however, revealed that the state Pilgrims Welfare Board under the leadership of Alhaji Laminu Rabiu is working round the clock to ensure a successful pilgrimage.

The Director expressed appreciation to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his support towards the success of this year’s Hajj exercise.

The second and third batch of Kano pilgrims are expected to leave Makka on Monday July 17.

It would be recalled that the inaugural flight of this year’s pilgrims left Kano to Saudi Arabia on Monday June 5, 2023.