Hope rises for the deported Nigerian female pilgrims as feelers from Saudi Arabian Consul in Kano northern Nigeria on Thursday indicate that the deported pilgrims have chances of returning to Saudi Arabia to perform the Holy Pilgrimage.
Pointblanknews.com recalls that Saudi authorities deported over 1500 Nigerian females on pilgrimage to the oil-rich Islamic company.
The Saudi Arabian consul in Kano on Thursday, issued guidelines stating that “female pilgrims who are above 45 years of age can perform the annual hajj without guarantor, while those below the 45 years should have their guarantors indicated in their passports in the name of respective Pilgrims welfare boards managements.”
The latest development has given hope to the deported female pilgrims who are qualified to travel back to Saudi Arabia for the holy pilgrimage.
The Saudi authority, however, insisted that the deported female pilgrims below the age of 45 must have Muharram [Individual Guide] in their passport while it is not necessary for those above the age of 45.
Pointblanknews.com learnt that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would apply strictly the guide as it warned officials handling pilgrim affairs in the country to strictly comply with the guideline to avoid possible embarrassment.
The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Laminu Rabi’u said the Board has made necessary arrangement to transport back the deported pilgrims.
“We will comply with all the guidelines issued out by the Saudi Arabian Consular office and airlift all our pilgrims to enable them perform this year’s annual pilgrimage,” he stated.
Laminu Rabiu further explained that they have so far airlifted over 6000 Pilgrims out of the 7000 allocated to the state, which means that this year Hajj excise, has been a huge success more than the previous year.