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Apparently Saudi Arabia is fed up with some of the annual hajj-makers, primarily Nigerians, so it has instituted a 5 year ban on all pilgrimages. In other words, if you've been to Mecca in the last five years you're out of luck, and you'll have to wait until you're five years are up before you can make that spiritual trek to the Kingdom once again.
And as much as hajj-goers might fret about not being allowed to visit every year, even the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is happy about that decision. Apparently, the Saudis are none to happy with how the Nigerians conduct themselves during hajj, although who knows if that's true or they're just being racist.
MURIC, in a statement made available to Daily Trust yesterday, said the ban was commendable as it would go a long way in changing the attitude of Nigerian Muslims towards the annual religious rite. According to MURIC director, Dr. Ishaq Akintola, who signed the statement, many state governments sponsor political thugs whose unruly behaviour in the holy land can only tarnish the reputation of Nigerians.He said there are also pilgrims who capitalize on the corruption among some hajj officials to sneak into the holy land in order to commit crimes like drug smuggling, adding that Nigerians have turned hajj to a mere picnic and commercial journey. "We charge the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the various state pilgrims boards to accept the decision of the Saudi government in good faith.
What they must do is to re-examine themselves, educate prospective pilgrims and re-strategize. The Federal Government is advised to respect the wish of the Saudi government," the statement read.
I guess the fact that it was approved by MURIC, it must be okay, and since Mecca is on Saudi Arabian land, they have the right to do whatever they please, including restricting the pilgrimage to every five years. And if people do behave badly, perhaps this will set them straight, but it does prove that a few bad apples can ruin the whole basket.
