The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned Nigerians taking political campaigns to Holy Ka’aba, Saudi Arabia, to desist from such illegal activities.
The commission said political campaigns in the grand mosque in Makkah are tantamount to desecration of a religious sanctuary, and could result in the prosecution of culprits when apprehended by Saudi authorities.
NAHCON gave the warning in a statement yesterday by his spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara.
The warning came on the heels of videos circulating online showing some Nigerian pilgrims displaying posters of their candidates in the grand mosque in Makkah.
Another video showed others chanting the names of their candidates in the 2023 general election.
“The NAHCON leadership has observed with dismay the unfortunate trend where politicians displayed posters of their candidates in the grand mosque in Makkah. Kindly recall that the Saudi Arabian authorities are very strict on any form of politicking while in their land, especially not in the Holy Ka’aba where devotees engage in solemn prayers.
“This action is tantamount to desecration of a religious sanctuary which attracts penalties when apprehended. Hence, in the interest of the actors and Nigeria’s image, pilgrims are cautioned to desist from such illegal activities,” Usara said.
She also stated that NAHCON’s Umrah monitoring team chairman, Usman Aliyu Shamaki, warned Nigerian pilgrims not to be caught in the web of over-crowdedness being witnessed in the King AbdulAziz International Airport, Jeddah.
She urged pilgrims to patiently wait for their tour operators to transport them to Jeddah airport for departure when their flights are on ground.
“According to reports, pilgrims have thronged the Jeddah airport in desperation to return to their countries even when their aircraft are not on ground. To curtail further congestion at the airports, Alhaji Shamaki solicits Nigerian pilgrims to remain in their locations to avoid embarrassment, inconveniences, and possible penalties,” she added.
