By AbdulSalam Muhammad

KANO— No fewer than 502 intending pilgrims, yesterday, departed Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano to Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s hajj.

The first batch of pilgrims, who left the country in the early hours aboard Max Airlines, was part of 5,708 total pilgrims billed for the operation from Kano.
At a sensitisation workshop before their departure, Executive Secretary of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Laminu Rabiu, said already the board had received 5,126 visas of 5,708 from Saudi Arabia Consulate in Kano.

He, however, expressed optimism that others would be ready before the final departure period.
This came just as the Youth Pilgrims Welfare Association of Nigeria, YOPWAN, advised pilgrims to be conscious of their hygiene and others in the holy land.

Laminu noted that airlift operations would last 12 days, pointing out that concrete arrangement had been made with the three official flight operators, Max Air, Sky Power and Kabo Airlines.

He urged the pilgrims to remain worthy ambassadors of Kano and Nigeria, stressing that government would not tolerate any act of misconduct by any pilgrim in the holy land.
“We have urged our pilgrims to be of good conduct and adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the hajj operations. We told them we don’t want to find anybody wanting in any form,” Laminu said.

The executive secretary disclosed that the board disqualified 13 female pilgrims who were pregnant and explained that their rejection was in line with Saudi Arabia policy that disallows pregnant women from performing hajj rituals.
Speaking,  Kano State Head of Service, Alhaji Umar Minjibir, urged the board to guide pilgrims on eating habit and health care management while in the holy land.