NAHCON airlifts 35,817 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has disclosed that it has airlifted a total of 35,817 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 85 flights since the beginning of airlift operations on May 25, 2023.
The Madinah’s coordinator of NAHCON, Ibrahim Idris Mahmud, told journalists on Thursday during a chat on the 2023 Hajj operations in Madinah so far.
He said out of 35,817 pilgrims transported to the Kingdom, 15,749 have moved to Makkah to continue with the next phase of the Hajj ritual, while 20, 068 are still in Madinah praying at the Prophet’s Mosque and performing their ziyarat.
Speaking further, Mahmud said NAHCON is determined to make the 2023 Hajj a memorable one for the pilgrims, noting that the commission established a central clinic in Madina as part of efforts to provide effective healthcare services to the pilgrims.
The coordinator said that it also set up three outpost clinics in strategic locations to attend to the health needs of the pilgrims.
“As at today, a total of 80 flights conveying 35,817 pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and they were all accommodated in 31 hotels.
“Pilgrims have been performing their prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque and visiting some religious and historical places in Madina,” he said.
While expressing confidence that the commission was working tirelessly to address the challenges arising from pilgrims’ accommodation and feeding, he pointed out that despite the challenges encountered earlier, the management of the commission would continue towards ensuring that the pilgrims their Hajj rites with seamlessly.