The Kwara state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board said the first batch of 530 intending pilgrims from the state would be airlifted to Saudi Arabia on July 14, 2019.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alh Mohammed Tunde- Jimoh announced this in Ilorin, the state capital on Sunday.
He said arrangement had been concluded by the board to transport the first batch of the pilgrims through Max Airline from the llorin international Airport on July 14.
He added that the transportation of 2000 intending pilgrims from the state which will be in four batches will take place in less than 24 hours interval after the departure of the first batch.
Tunde- Jimoh said the board has secured 1,520 visas out of over 2000 travelling with the it and expressed optimism that the remaining visas will be secured before the date for the take off the first batch.
“The issues of basic travelling allowance (BTA) for intending pilgrims, yellow cards from Airport Health Authority had reached advanced stage as part of measures to ensure a hitch- free holy pilgrimage”, Tunde-Jimoh said.
He disclosed that biometric data capturing has been suspended for all the intending oilgrims in line with the Saudi Arabia authority’s directive.
He said the board will not hesitate to disqualify any intending pilgrims from undertaking the holy trip as a result of ill health or pregnancy as soon as the result of the just concluded medical screening is released.
Tunde-Jimoh warned the intending pilgrims against traveling to Saudi Arabia with kolanuts and other prohibited items, stating that scanning machines are at the airport to detect those who transport illicit materials.
