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Hajj Is For Spiritual Upliftment
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Being Text of an Address by His Excellency, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, OON (Garkuwan Doma), Executive Governor of
Nasarawa State to Year 2007 Intending Muslim Pilgrims at Lafia on Wednesday, 21st November 2007
PROTOCOLS:
My dear intending pilgrims, Assalamu alaikum.
2. It is my pleasure to address you this morning and to join your relations and well-wishers in bidding you farewell on the journey to the holy land to perform the 2007 pilgrimage.
3. The performance of hajj is a divine duty on all Muslims, particularly those who have the means, sound health and the providence of Allah to do so. Indeed, it is one of the five pillars of Islam.
4. We must, therefore, give thanks and praise to Allah for His special favour, by which He has destined you to carry out this sacred duty at this time. Let me advise that the fear of Allah, and the desire for His favours and mercies, should guide your thoughts and actions at all times, as you carry out this noble exercise. It is also my expectation that throughout this spiritual journey and beyond, you would conduct yourselves only in the way and manner acceptable to Allah, and deserving of His blessings.
5. Ladies and gentlemen, it is gratifying to note that, in the previous hajj exercises, our pilgrims from Nasarawa State were acclaimed for their self-discipline, patience and orderliness. This exemplary conduct has earned the State praises, recognition, goodwill and respect not only in the country but the world at large. You must, therefore, not be different from your predecessors or derail from this good record. You should desist from unacceptable conduct and practices that could soil the good name of Nasarawa State, and Nigeria. Avoid drug trafficking and consumption, extortion, money laundering, theft, prostitution and defection.
6. You must observe the rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and, indeed all immigration laws of that country.
7. I am informed that you have received adequate lectures and orientation from Board officials and reputable preachers, on what you should know and how to conduct yourselves in the performance of hajj. You therefore have no reason to claim ignorance.
8. Permit me to remind you that going to hajj is neither a tourist nor a commercial trip. It is a religious journey for which you have prepared yourselves, to strengthen your faith and hope to receive spiritual benefits therefrom. You need, therefore, to avoid doing anything that is offensive to the will of Allah, so as not to deny yourselves of the tremendous benefits of hajj.
9. I am assured that the leadership of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, in its characteristic manner, has taken all the necessary measures to ensure the success of this year’s hajj operation, including accommodation, transportation and medical arrangements for the pilgrims.
10. I, therefore, expect that you all would work in collaboration and in unison with the Amirul Hajj team whose membership has been carefully selected on the basis of personal merit, piety, experience and integrity. Let me reiterate that all hands must be on deck towards the sustenance of our acknowledged organisational ability in hajj operation.
11. At this juncture, I would like to commend and express our collective gratitude to Group Captain (Dr.) Usman Jibrin, OON for his exemplary contributions and services to the State and humanity in this area of spiritual endeavour. May the Almighty Allah reward him and his colleagues in this venture abundantly. We wish him good health and long life.
12. I would like to conclude by charging you all to pray fervently for your good selves, Nasarwa State and Nigeria as a whole for peace and prosperity.
13. On behalf of the Government and the entire people of Nasarwa State, it is my pleasure and privilege to formally wish Nasarawa State contingent for the 2007 Hajj safe journey to and from the holy land.
14. May the Almighty Allah accept your Hajj.
15. Thank you.
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