January 2, 2020 7:09 pm by Dada Ahmed – Nigeria –
Friendship
By Dada Ahmed
Madinah,July 23,2019(NAN) Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah have been fraternising with Muslim nationals of other countries of the world, vis-a-vis observing their religious rites in the city.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many pilgrims were spotted at the Prophet’s mosque and other places in Madinah exchanging greetings, taking pictures with one another and exchanging addresses in a friendly atmosphere.
Al-Haj Nasir Uddin, from Bangladeshi who spoke with NAN, said he found it pleasing relating with Nigerian pilgrims, ” because Nigerian pilgrims are peace-loving people.”
Uddin, who was seen taking picture with some Nigerian pilgrims at the Prophet’s mosque, promised to maintain contacts he made with Nigerians in Madinah when he gets back after his hajj.
Contributing, Ahmed Yusuf from the FCT, said he had made friendship with many Muslim pilgrims from other countries, adding that it was incumbent on Muslims to relate with others,irrespective of tribe and other divisive expressions.
” Islam enjoins all Muslims to love and unite with one another, even among adherents of other religions.
“Once a Muslim meets another Muslim and they greet with peace be upon you, you get instant acceptance with warm embrace, signifying the unity of man.
“Islam is a potent force uniting people of different nationalities, culture, colour and tradition among others, ” he said.
Yusuf, who said he had made upto six friends from other countries, promised to make more foreign friends before the end of the Hajj rites when he would move to Makkah for more religious rites before returning to Nigeria.
He scored the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria( NAHCON) and state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare boards 80 per cent interms of accommodation and feeding.
Also speaking, another Nigerian Pilgrim, Alhaji Abdulfatai Bello,said his meeting with other nationals in the course of his religious rites in Madinah was a rewarding exercise and interesting.
“Anywhere we find ourselves as Muslims,Islam enjoins us never to discriminate but love and unite with other people, irrespective of differences in languages and places of abode.
” I am happy to note, that atmosphere of unity and love is being displayed between Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah and our colleagues from other climes.
” I have met several nationals in Madinah in the course of my hajj and we have been interacting on a positive note.
They are happy with me and I am are happy with them too.
“If we can embrace this attitude, on a large scale in Nigeria,the country will be better for all of us,” he said.
Meanwhile, 17,161 pilgrims have so far been transported to Madinah since their inaugural flight in Katsina on July 10 while over, 6,000 have been transported to Madinah as at Tuesday.
The Head of Accommodation Committee, NAHCON, Alhaji Gana, made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Madinah on Tuesday.
He, however, identified large luggage among the pilgrims and lack of cooperation from officials of state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards as some of the challenges facing the committee.
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