Okiri tasks Muslim pilgrims on conduct
By Chimex Ndubuisi
The Vice President-General for the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmad Okiri has told the Muslim pilgrims to the Holy land to embrace peace and be good ambassadors and not to do anything that would tarnish the image of their community, family, state and Nigeria as a whole.
Addressing Muslim pilgrims from the South-South and South-East to Saudi Arabia before their departure at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Alhaji Okiri said without peace and unity among themselves and others, they would not be able to achieve their aims as their prayers would not be answered.
He said as true Muslims from the country, they should imbibe the spirit of fair play and show the rest of the world that Nigerians are very peaceful.
“Be a good ambassador of your country and bear it in mind that you are going to Saudi Arabia to represent your country, community, yourself and your state. Be a good Muslim, keep to the commandment of Islam and don't think that after Hajj, everything has ended but always remember that after Hajj, life continues”.
“Worship very well and pray for the peace of the country and that of the state with reference to Rivers State and when you do that, I want to promise and assure you that Islam will continue to grow in this country with able men like our representatives”, he said.
Alhaji Okiri pleaded with Muslims from the South-East and South-South to always embrace Islam, according to him, it is a very peaceful religion, saying that people should not believe anything that happens in the North or any other part of the country as being caused by Islam.
He advised them to be, prayerful and fear only Allah and obey those in the authority in Saudi Arabia as it was written in the Holy Koran and listen to Hajj officers in the Holy land and also to remember that Islam is growing fast in the country and would continue to be sustained.
He requested that the Aminu Hajj and other chairmen of the commission be drawn from the South-East and South-South of the country in order for them to work together as a region.
Alhaji Okiri said he was happy as flight had commenced operations at the Port Harcourt International Airport which according to him would help pilgrims going to the Holy land, stressing that he was optimistic for the first time that they have good representatives who are competent and have no questionable character.
“Before, we had a problem of going to the Holy land from Port Harcourt due to the closure of the Airport but we are happy that our people will now be airlifted from Port Harcourt International Airport. At least it has saved us from stress and other things. I thank the governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and the President of the country for the good things they are doing in ensuring that the Airport resumes operations and also to airlift pilgrims to the Holy land”.
Over 2000 pilgrims are expected to be airlifted from Port Harcourt to Saudi Arabia.
