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In a tragic turn of events, two Nigerian pilgrims have passed away during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed the deaths of Tawalkatu Busare Alako and Muhammad Suleman, both from Kebbi State.
Alako, a devoted pilgrim from Kebbi State, breathed her last on Saturday, May 25. Her passing was a somber moment for the Nigerian Hajj community, and her loss was keenly felt by her fellow pilgrims and family members. Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, the Chairman and CEO of NAHCON, expressed profound condolences to the Kebbi State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board and Alako’s family.
In a heartfelt statement, Malam Arabi conveyed his deepest sympathies, saying, “We pray for Allah to grant comfort to the family of the deceased.” He also emphasized the importance of collective prayer, urging all pilgrims to offer special supplications for Alako, other pilgrims, and Nigeria as a whole. The loss of Alako prompted a significant outpouring of grief and support from the entire Nigerian pilgrim community in Makkah.
The sorrow was compounded with the news of the second death. Muhammad Suleman, a pilgrim from the Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, succumbed to a brief illness on Sunday, May 26. Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Enabo, the Executive Chairman of the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, officially announced Suleman’s death. He stated, “The deceased died on Sunday after a brief illness, and his funeral prayer took place at the Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Ka’aba). He was buried according to Islamic rites on the same day.”
The swift and respectful handling of Suleman’s funeral rites reflected the deep respect for Islamic traditions. The funeral prayer at the Al-Masjid Al-Haram, one of the holiest sites in Islam, was a poignant moment that highlighted the sanctity and solemnity of the pilgrimage.
Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Enabo extended the Kebbi Government’s heartfelt condolences to Suleman’s immediate family, the Kebbi pilgrims, and the entire state’s populace. He remarked, “On behalf of the Kebbi Government, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, Kebbi pilgrims, and the entire people of the state. We pray to the Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant his soul as well as the souls of departed Muslims, Jannatul Firdaus.”
The chairman emphasized the inevitability of death, urging the family of the deceased to accept God’s will with faith and resilience. His words resonated deeply, reminding everyone that life’s temporal nature is a core tenet of Islamic belief.
The dual tragedies have cast a pall over the Nigerian pilgrim community in Makkah, but they have also brought them closer in their shared grief and faith. The loss of Tawalkatu Busare Alako and Muhammad Suleman is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the spiritual significance of the Hajj pilgrimage.
As the pilgrims continue their sacred journey, the memories of the deceased will undoubtedly linger in their hearts and prayers. The support from NAHCON, the Kebbi State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, and fellow pilgrims underscores the strong community bonds and the collective resolve to uphold the sanctity and spirit of the Hajj pilgrimage.
In the face of these losses, the Nigerian Hajj community remains resilient, drawing strength from their faith and the shared experience of the pilgrimage. The prayers and condolences from leaders and fellow pilgrims alike reflect the unity and compassion that define the Hajj journey, a testament to the enduring power of faith in times of sorrow.
The 2024 Hajj pilgrimage continues, marked by profound reverence and remembrance for those who have passed. The lives and faith of Tawalkatu Busare Alako and Muhammad Suleman will be honored in the hearts and prayers of all who knew them, as the pilgrimage carries on with a renewed sense of purpose and devotion.
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