By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The 2026 Edo State pilgrims have departed the holy city of Madinah for Makkah to perform Umrah, where they are expected to enter into the state of ihram at the miqaat, called Dhul Hulayfah or Abyar Ali in preparation for the spiritual exercise.
Before the departure, the Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Musa Muhammad Uduimoh, addressed the pilgrims and advised them to be careful, organized and attentive during the journey, especially at the miqaat where thousands of pilgrims from different countries usually converge.
He urged the pilgrims to properly identify their buses in order to avoid getting stranded after observing the rites at the designated point.
According to him, “Please, the whole world is using that place called Miqaat, not only Nigeria. Please mark the bus that you enter. As you are stepping down from the bus, take the number of the bus. Mark the place the bus is parked. That is exactly where it will remain waiting for you.
“The bus will not change location. And mark the entrance of the miqaat. There are many similar buses around there, over 100.”
Mallam Uduimoh further encouraged the pilgrims to remain patient, prayerful and law-abiding throughout the spiritual exercise, noting that proper coordination and adherence to instructions would ensure a hitch-free journey to Makkah.
The pilgrims were seen in high spirits as they begin the sacred rites of Umrah ahead of the main Hajj activities.
