Airlifting of pilgrims to the 2016 Hajj has commenced in Kaduna State with Governor Nasir el-Rufai lamenting previous experiences of intending pilgrims in the state.

In his speech at the flag-off of airlift of 910 intending pilgrims from the state, at Hajj Camp, Mando, Kaduna, el-Rufai said the story of the state has been the same for a very long time. "But I hasten to say that, the problems associated with Hajj Operation particularly in Kaduna will soon be a thing of the past.

“Our government has put in place so many measures to improve the management of Hajj affairs in the state with a view to strengthening and improving the operations of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board.”

He called on intending pilgrims to respect the rules and regulations while in the Holy Land and be good ambassadors not only for Kaduna State but Nigeria in general.

Represented by his deputy Barnabas Bala Bantex, el-Rufai urged pilgrims to pray for themselves, the state and the country for peaceful coexistence to prevail.

“Remember Allah says: ‘Make provisions certainly the best of provisions is having Allah’s conscious’.

“Remember also that Allah says: ‘….and pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, (upon) everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it..’.

“With this, it is crystal clear that pilgrimage is not compulsory on every Muslim, but, on the abled,” he added.

In his remarks, Imam Hussaini Ikara, the Overseer, Kaduna Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, said first batch of 410 from Igabi and Zangon Kataf Local Government are to be airlifted by FlyNass, while the second batch of 500 are from Soba and Ikara LGAs that will be airlifted by MaxAir to Madina in Saudi Arabia.

He said a total of 5,649 intending pilgrims from Kaduna are expected to perform the 2016 Hajj exercise.

“We are optimistic that Kaduna State pilgrims will continue to be law abiding citizens during the Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia,” he added.

•Photo shows Governor El-Rufai.

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