Nigerian pilgrims return to Makkah for final rites

Activities marking this year’s pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia are nearing completion as millions of pilgrims had returned to Makkah for the final rites.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the pilgrims had spent the five days in Muna observing the major rites of the pilgrimage.
The rites include staying at the plains of Arafat from sunrise until sunset on Sunday and the stoning of the devil at Jamrat from Monday to Wednesday.
The pilgrims moved to Makkah on Wednesday for (Dawaf), the final rite of going round the Ka’aba.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria had announced that outbound flights to Nigeria would begin on Saturday, September 17.
Speaking at the pre-Arafat Stakeholders Meeting on September 8, NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Muktar, asked officials of state pilgrims’ welfare agencies to prepare their pilgrims for the return journey to avoid delay.
He said the commission would not compromise on the 32kg luggage allowed for each pilgrim to carry on the home-bound journey.
He also asked the officials to ensure that pilgrims do not carry illegal items.
NAN reports that the commission was able to conclude the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia five days to the official closing date of Jeddah Airport.