Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has announced the allocation of N521 million in support of pilgrims from the state attending the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. This financial assistance aims to cover essential components of the pilgrimage, including the cost of animal sacrifices and addressing the shortfall in the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for each pilgrim.
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, the leader of this year’s Amirul Hajj Committee, shared these details in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, explaining the breakdown of the allocated funds. Specifically, N261 million is earmarked for the purchase of sacrificial animals, while N260.4 million will address the BTA shortfall. Originally, pilgrims were provisioned with $415 (N581,000) as opposed to the intended $500 (N700,000), necessitating this support due to the Naira’s devaluation to N1,400 per dollar.
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This initiative underscores the state government’s ongoing commitment to facilitating religious pilgrimages for its citizens, extending similar support to those traveling to Makkah and Jerusalem, Israel. Lawan also reassured that all Borno State pilgrims have arrived in good health and are prepared to commence their Hajj rituals.
In related news, 1,869 Lagos State pilgrims have embarked on their journey from Makkah to Mina to begin the principal Hajj rites, adhering to the Islamic calendar from the eighth to the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. Amir-ul-Hajj Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode outlined the ritual itinerary, which includes the move to Mount Arafah, prayers in Musdalifah, and the symbolic pebble-throwing at Jamarat. This period also coincides with the global Muslim community’s celebration of Eid-ul-Kabir, marked by the slaughter of sacrificial rams on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah.
Following the conclusion of the Hajj rites, the pilgrims will return to Makkah to spend the remaining duration of their stay until their departure back to Nigeria, completing their spiritual journey.
