President Muhammadu Buhari today in Makkah, Saudi Arabia performed lesser hajj (Umrah).
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the President, who arrived in Makkah via Jeddah from Madinah at about 1.20am (local time) today, 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’i (running between the hills of Safa and Marwa) and said the two-Raka’a prayer in line with the pilgrimage rites.
Buhari performed the lesser Hajj along with the Governors of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Yari; Borno state, Kashim Shettima; Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola; Katsina state, Aminu Masari; and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state.
Others who performed the Umrah in the Grand Ka’aba with the President were the National Security Adviser, retired Major General Babagana Monguno; some traditional rulers, including the Emir of Kano, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwan Akiolu as well as some Islamic leaders and prominent businessmen, including Alhaji Isa Funtua and Chief Wale Tinubu.
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 Buhari 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 used the opportunity to pray for the country.” [myad]
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