Lagos confirms loss of female pilgrim
The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (LSMPWB) has confirmed the death of one of its pilgrims.
The female pilgrim, identified as Lawal Mulikat Shade, 56, was a native of Ikirun, Osun State, who came to Hajj through the Oshodi-Isolo Local Council Development Area with passport number A09878948.
A statement from the Public Affairs Unit of the Board disclosed that two pilgrims slumped after carrying out the first round of the symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamarat on Sunday.
The pebble-throwing session is one of the important rites of Hajj.
Two Lagos pilgrims reportedly slumped during the session, while the other was rescued, the statement revealed.
Shade, however, gave up before getting to the hospital, it was stated.
According to the statement, the medical report on the pilgrim indicated that she was an hypertensive patient.
The Amir Hajj of the state, Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef, said the Board was working with the Saudi Arabian authorities and the family of the deceased for burial arrangements at Masjid Al Haram, Mecca.
Praying for the repose of the deceased, the Amirul Hajj cautioned other pilgrims incapacitated due to health challenges to send other pilgrims to do the stoning on their behalf.
Six Nigerian pilgrims had died since the beginning of this year’s Hajj.
Meanwhile, Lagos pilgrims successfully performed the throwing of the pebbles to Jamarat Al-Aqaba in Mina. The wife of the Lagos State governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has called on Nigerians to embrace unity and mutual cooperation, saying such virtues remain critical to engender peace and prosperity.
Mrs Sanwo-Olu made the call at a special Eid-El-Kabir get-together organised by the state government at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
According to Dr Sanwo-Olu, it has become expedient for citizens to draw lessons from the significance of the festive season to always uphold peace, help the needy and have abiding faith in God.
She recalled that the Eid-El-Kabir celebration was in remembrance of the command given by Allah to Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. She added that the fulfillment of the noble command of Allah to Ibrahim is worthy of being emulated.
“This act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah’s commandments. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need.”