The Kano State Pilgrim Welfare Board says it has suspended further airlifting of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia following the deportation of 171 female pilgrims to the country for failing to travel with approved male guardians for the ongoing hajj exercise.
The deportees arrived Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, yesterday [Sept. 26], onboard a Max Air plane which touched down at about 4:55pm. About 111 of the intending pilgrims were from Katsina while the 60 others were from Taraba state.
About 111 of them were from Katsina State while 60 were from Taraba State. Most of them were seen in tears, looking weary and upset.
Some of those who narrated their ordeals to reporters said that they were returned despite their wailings, screaming and pleas to the Saudi officials to allow them to carry out the annual religious ritual.
One of the deportees, Amina Jalingo recalled tearfully that:
“We were held in Madina for two days without food. None of us could sleep because the environment was so cold. Most of us collapsed on the floor, sobbing and pleading after we were told that we would be deported. All our pleas fell on the officials’ deaf ears”.
Another deportee, Aishatu Muhammad, claimed that she was turned back even though she travelled with one of her relatives. “When we reached Medina, my male relative was allowed to pass freely, but my own passport was handed back to me by the Saudi officials. We don’t know what sort of male guardians the Saudis want us to present,” she narrated.
According to Daily Trust, the returnees were brought back because the detention facilities where the initial 1,000 female pilgrims were detained was so congested that they could not accommodate more pilgrims.
According to unconfirmed reports, about 200 pilgrims among the 1,000 in detention shared a single toilet.
The Executive Secretary of Kano State Pilgrim Welfare Board, Alhaji Laminu Rabiu, who revealed to reporters at the airport, said the decision to suspend airlifting of pilgrims was taken as part of efforts to address the current impasse between Nigeria and Saudi governments.
Laminu said he was at the airport to receive 60 Taraba pilgrims who apparently appeared to be stranded as none of their state officials could be seen at the airport.
The Katsina intending pilgrims requested to be immediately flown to their state. The pilgrims arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport, Katsina yesterday night and proceeded to their respective homes.
Posted: at 27-09-2012 01:15 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
God help us, its the fault of the Nigerian gov't. They would av fore warned the gov,t but they wouldn't share the info, now its their fault that these females suffered
Posted: at 27-09-2012 01:41 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie
We don't need all these travellings, make your home liveable, and there is your Makka. Welcome, home is still the best.
There are some things you don't understand. Your home can NEVER be your Makka no matter what. Can you call your very home your Jerusalem? If yes, that would be what you don't understand. Our govt and NAHCOM made mistake, the very mistake they have been making. Male guardian is compulsory and such mistake should never be repeated in future.
IN ZAKA FADI, FADI GASKIYA, KOMAI TA JA MA A YI MAKA
Posted: at 27-09-2012 02:30 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
There are some things you don't understand. Your home can NEVER be your Makka no matter what. Can you call your very home your Jerusalem? If yes, that would be what you don't understand. Our govt and NAHCOM made mistake, the very mistake they have been making. Male guardian is compulsory and such mistake should never be repeated in future.
Let’s face it there is no other place like home. Saudi Arabia has no respect for women. Women are being treated like second class citizens we all know the facts. Nigeria that I know has more respects for women than Saudi Arabia. We should not be blinded by religion.
Posted: at 27-09-2012 03:01 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Let’s face it there is no other place like home. Saudi Arabia has no respect for women. Women are being treated like second class citizens we all know the facts. Nigeria that I know has more respects for women than Saudi Arabia. We should not be blinded by religion.
A society that punished a woman that was raped...., there reason being, why was she moving around without a male relative.
Posted: at 27-09-2012 03:47 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
oyinajibola at 27-09-2012 04:45 PM (12 years ago) (m)
Quote from: papadip on 27-09-2012 03:01 PM
Let’s face it there is no other place like home. Saudi Arabia has no respect for women. Women are being treated like second class citizens we all know the facts. Nigeria that I know has more respects for women than Saudi Arabia. We should not be blinded by religion.
RESPECT YOU SAY!!AV U EVA BEEN THERE OR DID ''CNN,BBC,ABC,etc TELL YOU THIS??...MY FRIEND,DON'T ALWAYS BELIEVE WHAT YOUR EAR FROM THE NEWS(especially the american media)....YOU MAY BE RIGHT ANYWAY...IF THEY CAN NIGERIA WOMEN GO TO HAJJ FOR YEARS WITHOUT MUHARRAM...THEN WHO KNOWS HOW MANY LAWS OF ISLAM THEY AV BROKEN FOR WHAT EVA REASON....YOU MAY BE RIGHT AFTER ALL..
Posted: at 27-09-2012 04:45 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
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