MAKKAH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. President Muhammadu Buhari in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday morning successfully performed the Umrah (lesser Hajj).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president, who arrived Makkah via Jeddah from Madinah at about 1.20 a.m. (local time) on Thursday, proceeded to the Holy Mosque, Ka’abah, for the performance of the Umrah.
During the Umrah, some of the annual pilgrimage rites are performed.
The president, who wore the Ihram, performed the Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’aba) and Sa’y (running between the hills of Safa and Marwa), and performed the 2-Raka’a prayer in line with the pilgrimage rites.
The president performed the lesser Hajj along with the governors of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari; Borno, Kashim Shettima; Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, Katsina, Aminu Masari, and Sen. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.
Others who performed the Umrah in the Grand Ka’aba with the president were the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, some traditional rulers including the Emir of Kano, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwan Akiolu.
Some Islamic leaders and prominent businessmen including Alhaji Isa Funtua and Chief Wale Tinubu also performed the lesser Hajj with the president.
Speaking on the spiritual journey of the president, Yari commended Buhari for choosing to come and personally pray for peace and prosperity of Nigeria.
He maintained that God Almighty would always accept the wishes and prayer of those in position of leadership.
On his part, Sanusi described the performance of Umrah by the president as a personal spiritual journey for him.
“As you well know Makkah is the holiest city in Islam and the Ka’aba is the holiest Mosque and also the Mosque of the Prophet in Madinah.
“The visit to Makkah and Madinah is actually a personal spiritual journey for the President and he use the opportunity to pray for the country and prayed for peace progress of more significance for the nation,’’ he said.
Credit: NAN
