The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says all is now set to relocate the state pilgrims to Muna, a city of makeshift tents on the outskirts of Mecca, from where pilgrims will perform the Hajj.
Chairman of the Board, Prof Moshood Mahmood Jimba, said they would begin to convey the pilgrims to Muna for Jamarat today, spanning the night and in different batches.
He explained that the Board had also put things in place to make their standing on the plain of Arafat hitch-free.
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“As part of the preparations by the Board, we have been to the site of Muna and Arafat and things are in good shape. We have been able to identify our tents, while other things have been put in place. We only pray to Allah to let us witness and conduct the activities in peace,” he told reporters.
“We thank God for everything; It’s been so far so good. All of us came to Mecca from Medina some days ago. This means that since then there is no single Kwara pilgrim left in Medina.
“We came down safely and we settled our pilgrims in their various hotels. And we immediately swung into action by giving them food as and when due.”
Prof Jimba described the 2026 Hajj pilgrims as the most well behaved pilgrims in his experience as the head of the Board, citing a mutual understanding and how the worshippers comply with rules.
“In my experience, this year’s outing is one of the best when it comes to compliance. This set of pilgrims is the best so far. They are well behaved. They don’t roam around the street. And I hope and pray that they will continue as such,” he said.
The Chairman appreciated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his continuous support and how he assisted the Board at different stages of their operations, asking Allah to continue to guide him.
Ameerul-Hajj and Etsu Tsaragi, for his part, HRM Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa, said the pilgrims are in high spirits and adequately prepared for the movement to Muna and Arafat.
He expressed his delight that no pilgrim has been reported for misbehaviour in whatever form, saying they all prove to be good ambassadors of Kwara by respecting the rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The First Class monarch, therefore, praised the government’s sensitivity to the needs of the worshippers.
“So far so good. The government has done its best. This year, we have not had a course of rushing to the Governor for our needs, because he had made available all the things that are required for this Hajj exercise. So we are satisfied,” Ameerul-Hajj said.
Also speaking, Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, who highlighted the activities the pilgrims would engage in at Muna, Muzdelifa and Arafah, enjoined them to perform those rites in moderation for their own safety.
The Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Danmaigoro expressed satisfaction with the programmes put in place and commended the Pilgrims for their conduct.
Danmaigoro praised the state Governor, AbdulRazaq, for providing all logistics needed for both the Pilgrims and the officials for the spiritual journey and enjoined them to maintain discipline and decorum throughout the remaining days of the exercise.
A Pilgrim from the State, Dr Ahmed Ayinla, confirmed that there is a perfect arrangement right from the State by the State Muslims pilgrims welfare board.
“No stress at Tunde Idiagbon Airport to Medina. The feeding arrangement very superb, breakfast and dinner very high quality and regular. Each pilgrim gets his or her in his hotel”, he explained.
According to him, buses conveyed them to important historic places such as Mount Cave, the grave of warriors, stressing that, right now, all Pilgrims from the State are in Mina early this morning for the commencement of five days Hajj rites in Minna, to Arafat and Jamra for the stoning of Satan.
Dr Ayinla disclosed that there is no casualty while the Medical teams are equipped with drugs free of charge.
“The Board Chairman Prof Jimba and his team are very wonderful.Amril Hajj too the Emir of Tsaragi the SSA religion Alh Damenhori all have been been wonderful too”.
Emir Sulu-Gambari Greets Nigerians in Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has extended his heartfelt greetings to all Nigerian pilgrims currently in the Holy Land as they prepare for the rites of Arafat in the 2026 Hajj season.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari, in a goodwill message issued on Monday by his Spokesman, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, described the gathering on the Plain of Arafat as the spiritual zenith of the Hajj and a profound manifestation of the unity, equality, and devotion that define the Muslim Ummah globally.
The Emir noted that millions of faithful, including thousands of Nigerians, would converge in a singular act of worship, seeking the mercy and forgiveness of Almighty Allah.
He prayed fervently that Allah, in His infinite mercy, grant the pilgrims physical strength, spiritual fortitude, and sound health to complete the sacred rites without hardship.
The monarch, however, besieged Almighty Allah to accept their supplications, forgive their shortcomings, and inscribe their Hajj among the accepted pilgrimages.
Sulu-Gambari further urged the pilgrims to uphold the highest standards of conduct during the exercise and encouraged them to serve as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and Kwara State through exemplary discipline, patience, and mutual respect in all interactions within the holy precincts.
He further called on them to dedicate moments of their supplication to praying for enduring peace, unity, and prosperity across Nigeria, and for divine guidance for its leaders at all levels.
The Emir also commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, and all officials and service providers for their efforts in ensuring a smooth and dignified pilgrimage for Nigerian faithful.
