By Mustapha Usman
From Makkah
Barring last-minute changes, the first batch of the Nigerian pilgrims will return home on Monday, following the completion of all Hajj rites on Friday, DAILY NIGERIAN has learnt.
Recall that about 50,000 Nigerians are currently in the holy land to perform the fifth pillar of Islam and the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Abdullahi Muktar, had promised that the return journey would be conducted on a first-come, first-to-return basis.
Addressing pilgrims and officials, during a tour of the tents in Muna, Saudi Arabia recently, the chairman said the first flight is expected to carry pilgrims from Kogi State.
Accordingly, our correspondent who is in Makkah observed that on Friday, immediately after Juma’at prayers, the pilgrims engaged in a shopping spree, as they stormed virtually all the shops near the holy mosque to buy gift items for their beloved ones back home.
The pilgrims, from all nationality, were busy buying items, mostly clothes and toys.
The area was rowdy as the Pilgrims engaged in negotiations with the shop owners, causing traffic gridlock along the road that links Jarwal, Yabalash and Binladen.
As at the time of filing this report, pilgrims were seen rushing to the area, which houses many shops and markets to buy gift items.
