Hajj 2024: Ondo screens, vaccinates, sensitizes 502 intending pilgrims
By Khadijat Salahudeen- Okoro
Ondo state government has screened, vaccinated and sensitized a total of 502 state intending Pilgrims today ahead of their journey for this year’s holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in Mecca.
The intending Pilgrims were screened by members of the Muslim Welfare Board along with few other stakeholders like the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) vaccinated and sensitised on various rites to perform during pilgrimage.
The event which was conducted at the premises of the board in Alagbaka, Akure They were vaccinated against any form of disease outbreak during their stay in the holy land of Saudi Arabia in Mecca.
The intending Pilgrims were given oral polio, yellow fever, cerebral meningitis and Deteria , Tetanus vaccinations to guide them against any form of diseases during their pilgrimage exercise.
The Chairman of the Ondo state Muslim Welfare Board , Alhaji Zikirullah Adam Chandy at the event held at the board premises in Akure, educated intending Pilgrims on the rituals and etiquettes of Hajj crucial for ensuring a meaningful and acceptable journey.
These includes, guidance on the rites of Hajj, such as the Tawaf around the Kaaba, the Sa’i between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and the stoning of the pillars representing Satan.
The Chairman who expressed satisfaction over the screening of the intending pilgrims for being more grounded Islamically than that of last year, said this showed their level of understanding and preparedness for the exercise.
According to him, the screening was centered on the recitation of Surat Fatihah and others.
In his lecture, a member of the board, Alhaji AbdulGanniy Bature, admonished the pilgrims on the importance of maintaining a state of purity, performing prayers at designated times, and showing respect towards fellow pilgrims regardless of nationality or background.
According to him, understanding and following these teachings contribute to a spiritually enriching experience and acceptance of the pilgrimage.
” It’s essential for pilgrims to focus on devotion, reflection and acts of worship during their journey.
“In Mecca, you can perform two rakats (units of prayer) in the Masjid al-Haram, particularly near the Kaaba.
” In Medina, you can do so in the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi), preferably near the Prophet’s grave or in Riyad al-Jannah (the Garden of Paradise) area if accessible.
“Both locations hold great significance for Muslims and provide a spiritually enriching experience.
“Musdalifa is a location in the holy land of Islam, specifically in Saudi Arabia, situated between Mina and Arafat. It’s a significant site during the Hajj pilgrimage, where pilgrims spend the night collecting pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual,” Bature said.
Also, the Ondo state Missioner, for the National Council Of Muslim Youths Organisation (NACOMYO) in his lecture, Alfa Abdulwaasii Yuusuf educated the intending pilgrims on how to cushion the effect of the hot weather of Saudi Arabia during the Hajj exercise.
The weather of the holy land, which he explained would be hotter than what was experienced last year, could be controlled by taking enough water and not cold one to avoid its negative effect on health.
He also urged them to avoid roaming under the hot weather.
