Be Worthy Ambassadors With Impeccable Behaviour – Aiyedatiwa Charges Ondo Intending Pilgrims
The Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has called on the 502 intending pilgrims to be of good behaviour during their entire stay in the holy land in Saudi Arabia.
Aiyedatiwa gave the advice while addressing the intending pilgrims at the farewell ceremony programme held at the premises of the state Muslim Welfare Board today, Thursday May 23rd 2024.
Aiyedatiwa who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Olaide Adelami tasked the pilgrims to be on strict compliance with the rules and regulations of the host country and shun any form of vices that could tarnish the image of their fatherland.
According to him ” the essence of the journey is spiritual rebirth, moral reformation and the celebration of humanity under the banner of one Creator – Allah so you must endeavour never to forget your purpose of leaving home at any point in time ”
He also applauded the Muslim community for contributing meaningfully to the development process of the Sunshine state saying the impacts of the ummah could be felt in politics, economy and societal stability just as he reaffirmed government’s commitment to the support of all citizens in attaining their religious aspiration without discrimination
The governor expressed happiness that the state was not only able to meet its allocation for the annual spiritual exercise but equally surpassed the number of pilgrims registered, inoculated and airbound when compared with some neighboring states.
The State Chairman, League of lmams and Alfas, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe while commending the governor for his outstanding performance since assumption of the mantle of leadership prayed for God to continue to direct the affairs of the administration.
For the Grand Mufti of Ondo State, Alhaji Sirajudeen Batuta, pilgrims must take the journey of a lifetime with every seriousness and shun all actions or utterances that could make them lose the monumental reward of hajj.
In the same vein, the Chief Imam of Ondo Kingdom, Alhaji Bashir Alimi and his Akure counterpart,
Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede charged the over 500 pilgrims to remember Ondo state in particular and the country in general in their prayers during their stay in Makkah and Madinah
The Chief Imam of lkare, Sheikh Abbas Abubakar and the Chief Imam of Government House Mosque, Dr. Yunus Anola cautioned the intending pilgrims against frivolous wandering by obeying constituted authorities and seeking direction whenever they are in doubt of anything.
Earlier, the Chairman, Ondo state Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Zikrullah Adam Chandy said the intending pilgrims are expected to spend between 35 to 40 days during which they will be guided for the compulsory hajj rites as well as a tour of historical sites in line with the Sunnah of the holy Prophet of Islam even as he assured that arrangements have been perfected on their transportation, feeding and accommodation with a view to attaining an hitch – free trip.
An intending pilgrim, Alhaja Halima Adam thanked Allah for what she called an unquantifiable honour and lauded the State Government for its top notch arrangement
” Right from the onset and all through the entire process, registration, documentation, vaccination and orientation – the whole process is world class and we pray Allah to grant us a rewarding pilgrimage and safe return back home in the coming weeks “.
