The Kwara Muslim Pilgrims welfare board says the first batch of intending pilgrims from the state will be airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on May 26.

The executive secretary of the board, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdukadri, announced this while speaking during the enlightenment programme for intending pilgrims held at Gerewu in Adewole Area, Ilorin.

He said that the distribution of bags and uniforms would begin on May 24.

The executive scribe added that the pilgrims would be vaccinated on May 23.

Mr Abdulkadri advised the intending pilgrims to be law-abiding and have good intentions of going there to serve God.

He, however, warned them against engaging in acts capable of tarnishing Nigeria’s image.

“We enjoin you to avoid fighting with anybody, avoid indecent dressing and avoid the use of abusive words in the holy land,” he said.

Dr Abdulkadir Sambaki also advised intending pilgrims to be law-abiding and conscious of Allah in all their undertakings while in Nigeria and the holy land.

“They should abide by the law of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia authorities because there is no room for disobedience for all intending pilgrims,” he said.

He said that 3,740 pilgrims would perform this year’s Hajj from the state.

The officer in-charge of the state National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Ilorin airport, Hajia Abibat Babaita, also cautioned them not to go to Saudi Arabia with illicit drugs.

She urged them not to go to Saudi Arabia with contraband drugs like cocaine, lexotan and tramadol, among others.

Ms Babaita said that any intending pilgrim on recommended drugs should come with a doctor’s prescription and not go with commercial quantity.

In his lecture, the Grand Khadi of Kwara, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, advised all intending pilgrims to return any property kept in their care before going to Saudi Arabia, saying that returning from the journey is in the hands of God.

Mr Kamaldeen also urged them to pay off their debts or put them on record for the family to see before leaving for the holy land in case of any incident, the family will repay the debt.

The Grand Khadi also enjoined them to settle any misunderstanding they have with anybody before going performing the Hajj.

(NAN)