By Admin
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned pilgrims not to pick any lost item from the ground during Tawaf to avoid being called thieves
So far, the commission has successfully transported 32,549 pilgrims, which represented 79.1 per cent of the total intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
The Public Relations Officer of Kaduna Pilgrims Board, Yunusa Makarfi, made the call during the inauguration and Orientation lecture for the National Media Team in Abuja.
Makarfi noted that the risk of picking lost items during the tawaf was that a pilgrim may be mistaken for a thief, no matter his good intentions.
“The place is under the radar of thousands of cameras that can be reviewed to trace that particular item to a pilgrim and he cannot escape being punished.
“So if you see something on the ground and it’s not yours, don’t pick it. There are thieves everywhere, and you will be mistaken as one,” he said.
The commission also urged pilgrims to stay dehydrated due to expected high temperature in Saudi Arabia.
“You don’t need to be thirty, before drinking water; avoid the heat wave by keeping away from the harsh sun as much as possible,” said the Assistant Director, Information and Publicity, Fatima Sanda Usara.
She also advised pilgrims to use umbrellas, hats, or to always look for shade to avoid the blazing sun.
As many as 64,188 Nigerians are expected to participate in this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, the commission’s Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, said the role of the media in shaping public perception of the hajj cannot be overemphasised.
He urged the media team covering the pilgrimage to uphold ethics of the profession, prioritise objectivity and fear God.
“You tell the story of hajj to the world and help people see what is happening.
“We all know that the media is a very powerful tool — it can guide or manipulate the public. What you write, what you show, or what you say will have a great impact on the many people your story will reach,” he said
The Chairman appealed to the participants to dedicate their time, understand the commission’s work and internalise what they learnt to guide their reportage.
“I wish you fruitful deliberations and pray that all of you will work together like a family. Thank you, peace be upon you,” he said.
