By HAJARA LEMAN

The Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, says it has conducted pregnancy screening for 140 female intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Sa?adu Hassan, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Gombe on Wednesday.

He said that 140 out of the 289 women had been screened, while 80 married women within the reproductive age bracket did not participate in the exercise.

According to Hassan, the screening is a mandatory requirement aimed at safeguarding the wellbeing of female pilgrims during the physically demanding spiritual journey.

He said that those who did not participate in the screening would be closely monitored to ensure compliance, adding that the board has tracked their passports to confirm their screening status before departure.

?Pregnancy screening is a critical step to ensure the health and safety of the pilgrims.

?Of the total number, 69 women are either above the reproductive age or unmarried, and exempted from the screening.

?The board is committed to ensure that no pilgrim is left unexamined,? he said, adding that travel arrangements for the 952 intending pilgrims had been finalised.

He said the first flight, operated by Air Peace, is scheduled for May 18, while the final batch of the pilgrims would be transported on May 20.

While urging the pilgrims to maintain good conduct throughout their stay in the Holy Land, Hassan reminded them of the spiritual significance of the Hajj and the need to be exemplary representatives of their community and the country.

He also commended the intending pilgrims for their cooperation, and urged them to adhere to the guidance provided by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for a successful and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage. (NAN)

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