From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi
As part of effort to prevent the spread of Ebola disease to Saudi Arabia, Bauchi state government says all intending pilgrims from the state would be screened to ascertain their condition.
The chairman of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Shehu Adamu Jumba made the disclosure at the closing ceremony training exercise for intending pilgrims, organised by the Association for the Enlightenment of Muslim intending pilgrims, at Babasidi Primary School, Bauchi.
Alhaji Shehu Adamu, who is also the district head of Galambi, said all the 2,862 pilgrims from the state, must fill the Health Screening Form to be issued to them by his board.
According to him, “No pilgrim will be allowed to board the plane without filling the health screening form”.
Alhaji Shehu Adamu Jumba said Nigeria was lucky not to be among the countries that the Saudi Arabian authorities stopped from performing this years’ hajj due to the outbreak of Ebola disease, stressing that effort must be put in place to prevent pilgrims from contracting the disease.
He used the forum to announce that airlift of the state intending pilgrims from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport Bauchi, will commence on Friday, nineteenth of September.
Speaking at the occasion, the chairman Bauchi state Shari’ah Commission Malam Mustapha Baba Illelah, congratulated the intending pilgrims for being among the lucky Muslims to perform this years’ pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Malam Mustapha Baba Ilelah described the annual muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as an important ritual event which should be performed according to the teaching of Islam.
He cautioned the state pilgrims against engaging in any form of rally or strike against the Nigerian or Saudi authorities while in the holy land.
