UPDATE: 10,000 Nigerian Pilgrims in Mina to be Moved to New Tents

UPDATE: 10,000 Nigerian Pilgrims in Mina to be Moved to New Tents

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, in Mina

The Saudi authorities have agreed to relocate about 10,000 Nigerian pilgrims to a new site in order to decongest the present tents in Mina.

The decision is sequel to the complaint lodged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to the Muttawwif of African Non Arabs Company on inadequate tents and late food supply to the pilgrims.

According to a statement by NAHCON’s Deputy Director in charge of Information and Publication, Mousa Ubandawaki, the Muttawwif while apologising for the treatment meted out to Nigerian pilgrims promised to relocate them to the Turkish Arena which can conveniently accommodate about 10,000 pilgrims.

“We really want to apologise for what Nigerian pilgrims went through today. However, I want to impress it on the commission that we will give them utmost priority in the coming days for what they passed through” Ahmad Sindhi, who is the Chairman of the Company of Muttawifs, was quoted as saying in the statement.

“Therefore, from 2pm on Wednesday, we will relocate about 10,000 pilgrims outside the traditional tent area to the Turkish Arena which has better facilities and will also ease the crowd in the Mina area,” he added.

PRNIGERIA had on Monday night reported complaints by some Nigerian pilgrims over inadequate tents and food in Mina.