The pilgrims,in separate interviews with the our reporter in Makkah on Wednesday, said they had been enlightened on the do’s and don’s of performing Hajj while at Muna.

Muna is a suburb of Makkah where mount Arafat is located and about 1.8 million pilgrims from across the nations of the world are expected to stay there for three days, praying and asking for forgiveness of sin, among other rites.

Messrs Abdullahi Shehu, Mohammed Bawa, AbdulKadir Ahmad, Najeem Olawale among other pilgrims, told our reporter that they could not wait to move to Arafat.

“By His grace, I am hoping to carry out the remaining religious rites in Muna and pray close to Arafat.

“I believe that prayer offered, with sincerity of purpose close to Arafat has much potency of being accepted by almighty Allah,” Bawa said.

“Besides using the golden opportunity to pray for myself and my family, I will also pray for peace and development in Nigeria,” Ahmad said.

Contributing, a cleric, Alhaji Tajudee Omotola, one of the religious leaders guiding the pilgrims, admonished them to address their minds squarely to the significance of the last aspect of their religious rites in Muna.

He said this they could do by engaging in constant prayers and getting closer to almighty Allah.

“As mortals, we have all sinned in one way or the other, therefore, it becomes incumbent on us as pilgrims at Arafat to ask for forgiveness of sin, Allah’s mercy, peace and development of Nigeria.

He promised continued preaching to the pilgrims at Muna on the need to be God-fearing and allow the lessons of Hajj permeate their lives when they returned to Nigeria.

Our correspondent reports that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Saudi authorities have been up and doing to ensure a hitch-free Hajj.

The commission has transported over 44,000 pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, in addition to 18,000 pilgrims who came to the holy land through tour operators.

Saudi authorities have also introduced electronic system in Muna to monitor movement to ensure safety of pilgrims.

No fewer than 1.8 million pilgrims from all over the world, are performing this year Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

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Our correspondent who visited the area on Monday, reports that many of the camps meant for the pilgrims in the area were being fitted with facilities such as refrigerators, air conditioners, lighting, beddings and potable water, among others.

The representative of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON), Dr Tanko Aliyu, who inspected the Nigerian camp, assured pilgrims of their comfort and value for their money.

According to Islamic tradition, Arafat, was the place where Prophet Muhammad stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to Muslims who accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life.

Muslim scholars also say that it was also the place where Adam and Hawa reunited on Earth after falling from Heaven.

According to them, it is the place Adam’s sin was forgiven, hence it is known as the “Mount of Mercy”.

A pillar is erected to show the place where the aforementioned event took place.

The pilgrims go to Arafat from Muna for the most important part of the Hajj where Khutbah (sermon) for Hajj is narrated and Zuhr( afternoon prayer) and Asrs (evening prayer) are prayed together.

Pilgrims spend the whole day on the mountain of 1,490 feet, to supplicate to Allah for the forgiveness of sins and pray for personal strength and for the general peace of the world.

Meanwhile,43,139 Nigerian pilgrims have so far arrived Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, in 89 flights, according to NAHCON as at Monday.

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The pilgrims expressed their resolve in separate interviews with our reporter at the plain of Arafat, Saudi Arabia, on Dhul-Hijja 9, 1438 AH.

The visit to mount Arafat is a cardinal pillar of the annual pilgrimage.

The pilgrims prayed to the Almighty Allah for giving them the opportunity to be among the more than two million Muslims who converged for the Arafat.

Dr Bashir Usman, one the pilgrims, told our reporter that the day is significant to all Muslims whether on Hajj or not.

The Prophet (PBUH) said for those who were not opportune to go on Hajj: “If they fast the day of Arafat, Allah will forgive their sins for last year and the preceding year, so it is the day Allah forgive sins and shower His mercy on his servants.

“For those who are opportune to be in the Arafat, the Prophet said that Allah will forgive them their sins and answer their prayers.

“I am happy to be here today,’’ he said.

Usman said that he would also use the Arafat day to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and the country.

Alhaji Aliyu Mujitaba, another pilgrim, expressed happiness for standing in the plain of the Arafat.

He said that he would pray for himself, his family and the prosperity of the country.

Mujitaba also said that he would pray to Allah to make Paradise their final abode and give them good in this world and in the hereafter.

Alhaji Tukur Hassan also expressed delight for the chance given to him by Allah.

He said that the day is significant to all Muslims and it is the day Allah answer prayers of His servants.

“I am feeling happy today and I will pray for my family and my country.

“May Allah bring an end to insurgency in our country and other problems bedevilling the development of Nigeria because we don’t have any other country,’’ he said.

It was also reported that the pilgrims are expected to leave Arafat immediately after sunset for Muzdalifah where they would spend the night before returning to Mina for another Hajj ritual; the stone throwing at Shaytan.

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