Muslim pilgrims observe Arafat day

Over one point eight million Muslims have converge on the plain of Arafat, to observe the 2017 Arafat day, the climax of the Muslim annual pilgrimage.

The Muslim faithful, who spent the night in Muna, 17 kilometres from Arafat, marched to the plain of Arafat to observe the day.

The pilgrims, mostly dressed in white pairs of cloth, were expected to spend the day in Arafat seeking for God’s forgiveness, mercies and blessing.

Besides being the high point of the annual event, Arafat day teaches unity, equality and humbleness among Muslims and people of other faiths.

Fasting
However, those not participating in the Hajj exercise were expected to fast to commemorate the day.

Eighty one thousand pilgrims from Nigeria are among the pilgrims from over seventeen countries participating in the 2017 exercise.

The Nigerian Hajj Commission, NAHCON has held various meetings in Mecca and discussed efforts being taken to ensure a successful and smooth Hajj exercise.

This include, feeding arrangements in Muna, health and sanitation as well as security matters.

Meanwhile the number of casualties of Nigerian pilgrims recorded so far during at this year’s pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has risen to seven. The casualties are from Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna and Kastina States.

The Chairman National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed told newsmen in Arafat that the mortality was the lowest so far in the history of hajj exercise in the last 15 years.

According to him, all the deceased died as a result of one ailment or the other and not due to car accident.

Alhaji Muktai said that the commission has established a medical centre which operates for 24 hours in case of any emergency.

The Chairman also told newsmen that the outbound flight back to Nigeria would commence on September 7.

Alhaji Muktai expressed satisfaction with the Hajj operations so far and equally prayed for a safe return home for all pilgrims.

VOA.