Saudi Arabia on Wednesday officially started the Hajj pilgrimage in 2017 with more than 2 million pilgrims, including 1.8 million foreigners, expected to participate.
Hajj is the most important ritual among Muslims in the world, as almost all Muslims should perform it at least once in a lifetime, if they have the means to do so.
The Hajj-related worship will continue until next week.
A day earlier, Saudi Arabia announced tight security during the Hajj season, as it banned over 400,000 illegal pilgrims from entering Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims, for not having Hajj permits.
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The government said it had taken serious steps, including fine and jail terms against violators, to ensure smooth Hajj rituals for pilgrims.
Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki is also observing the hajj.
On Monday night he flew out of Abuja to Saudi Arabia to join the two million Muslim faithful gathered in the holy land for this year’s hajj.
In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President will spend the period of the pilgrimage to pray for the unity, stability and development of Nigeria as well as better health for the leader of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari.
He will also spend the period of the holy pilgrimage to pray for more success for the Eighth National Assembly in the execution of its Legislative Agenda which is aimed at helping to improve the standard of living of the citizenry and positively transform the national economy.
The Senate President is expected back early September when the Hajj rites would have been completed by pilgrims.
