The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday declared June 15, 2024 as Arafah day after the sighting of Dhul-Hijja crescent, the beginning of the last month on the lunar calendar.
Subsequently, the Kingdom confirmed June 16 as Eid-ul-Adha, a day Muslims globally mark sallah festival and symbolic slaughtering of rams. Over two million Muslims are expected to converge on Mount Arafat for 2024 hajj to worship, observe prayers and seek forgiveness of their sins.
The assembly of pilgrims drawn from across the world on Arafat mark the climax of the spiritual exercise of hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, mandatory for all faithful who can afford it.
45,565 participants from Nigeria have arrived cities of Medina and Makkah ahead of the hajj that will commence on 8th day of Dhul-Hijja (June 14), when pilgrims would moved to Muna, settlement near the city of Makkah from where they will subsequently leave for mount Arafat.
While the Saudi government has set June 10 deadline for pilgrims’ arrival and closure of all entry points, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said it would complete conveyance of all pilgrims before the stipulated period.
