By Fatima Muraina
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Ondo State Government has called on the intending pilgrims for this year’s holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia to be good ambassadors of the state as it bade them farewell.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu made the call at the farewell ceremony held on Saturday in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Akeredolu who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro urged the intending pilgrims to obey the rules and regulations of Saudi Authority.
Akeredolu, tasked the intending pilgrims to put their stubbornness behind them and prayed for a fruitful journey.
He promised his continuous support to the development of Islam, describing Muslims as more accommodating, patient and understanding people.
The Chairman of the Ondo state League of Imams and Alfas who doubled as the Chief Imam of Owo Kingdom, Alhaji Sheik Ahmed Aladesawe called on all intending pilgrims to pray for Akeredolu for his good health and not to mourn over him.
The Grand Mufti of Ondo state, Alhaji Sheik Surajudeen Batuta prayed for an hitch-free exercise, calling on the intending Pilgrims to pray for all muslim appointees to be guided by God to perform well.
The Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji Sheik AbdulHakeem Akorede prayed that God will perfect the healing of Akeredolu and grant him his heart desires.
The Chief Imam of Ikare kingdom, Alhaji Abass Abubakar, prayed for pilgrims’ safe trip and acceptance of all the prayers for Akeredolu.
The Chief Imam of Ondo, Alhaji Bashir Alimi, while praying for the intending pilgrims, described the prayers for Akeredolu as very necessary and important because of his interest for the generality of Ondo state citizens.
In his welcome speech, the Ondo state Chairman of the Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Dikrullah Candy Adam said people should know why they are at the holy land to worship.
“We appreciate all those that expressed their pieces of advice. Intending pilgrims should adhere to all preaching and enumerated as enumerated in ensuring that they had a fulfilled hajj operation.
