*Photo: Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, NAHCON Chairman/CEO *
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Monday asked Nigerian pilgrims defer their Jamarat rite (symbolic throwing of pebbles at the devil) till after 4pm (Saudi Arabia local time) to avoid the scorching sun.
NAHCON gave this the advisory in a statement, quoting the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The Commission also posted it on its social media platforms.
The statement reads in full:
Urgent Notice to All Hajj Office Heads
By the directives of His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and to ensure the well-being of pilgrims amidst high temperatures and to prevent heat stress, the following measures have been implemented:
• Pilgrims are prohibited from proceeding to the Jamarat Bridge for the ritual of throwing stones from 11 am to 4 pm.
• Security personnel will be stationed at camps to enforce this restriction and prevent any pilgrim from departing before 4 pm.
• The Office of Hajj Affairs and service providers are tasked with ensuring compliance, and they will bear responsibility for any violations thereof.
We pray for Allah’s protection over the pilgrims and the acceptance of their Hajj.
