A Muslim Cleric, Imam Yahya Garbaal-Yolawi, has advised intending pilgrims from Nigeria for the 2019 Hajj to conduct themselves well and be good ambassadors of Islam and Nigeria.
Garbaal-Yolawi, who is the Imam of Area 10 Jumaat Mosque in Garki, Abuja, gave the advise in his Jumaat sermon on Friday at the mosque.
He urged the intending pilgrims to embark on the hajj exercise with no other intention than the worship of Allah.
“I call on our pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Islam and of our country, Nigeria.
“They should fear Allah and do what is expected of them during the pilgrimage.
“They should not go there with the intention of engaging in illegal business or to commit crimes.
“It is sad that some of our pilgrims travel to Makkah or Madina with the intention of stealing, prostitution, drug trafficking and other crimes,’’ he said.
READ ALSO: Madagascar in danger of becoming one-tournament wonders – Coach
The Imam advised the pilgrims to always be well behaved and to ensure that they did not carry banned items in their luggage.
“Some pilgrims will engage in fighting, backbiting, protesting, for food or delay in flight or taking kola nuts and other contraband.
“All these are a result of their weak “Iman’’ and lack of knowledge and clear understanding of the magnitude of their actions and their consequences,” he said.
He advised that hajj was predicated on devotion as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim, his wife, Hajara and his son, Ismaeel.
He prayed that Allah should protect the pilgrims, accept their prayers, grant their supplications and bring them back safely and peacefully.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 65,000 Nigerians will participate in the 2019 hajj exercise.
The inaugural flight from Nigeria took off from Katsina State on Wednesday with 520 intending pilgrims on board.(NAN)
