From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna
Kaduna state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced screening of its over 5,632 registered intending pilgrims of the state for the 2014 Hajj exercise.
The Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Isah Muhammadu, who flaged-off the screening exercise in his palace in Kafanchan, in the southern part of the state yesterday, has urged all the intending pilgrims to obey Saudi laws while in the holy land and pray for peace and stability of Nigeria.
He said Nigeria really needs prayers to overcome its security challenges, just as the board’s management said the screening was done not to stop any pilgrims from going to hajj; rather, it was to enable them to know if the intending pilgrims understood all lectures given to them during the enlightenment exercise.
Addressing top management staff of the board at his palace, the emir commended the board for early preparations of 2014 Hajj exercise.
Earlier in his remarks, the Board’s Overseer, Alhaji Kabiru Kasimu said the screening was not meant to stop any pilgrim from going for the Hajj.
He, however, maintained that any intending pilgrim found to be of questionable character would not be allowed to perform the exercise.
“We will screen the pilgrims to be sure that they will behave well and serve as good ambassadors of the state and the country”, said the Overseer.
Pilgrims officers in the 23 local government areas of the state have been directed to ensure that all pilgrims are screened before sending their passports for visa processing.
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