The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT), Mr John Chukwu, has urged the 2015 intending pilgrims to pray for peace and security of the nation.
Chukwu gave the charge at a ceremony marking the departure of 2015 FCT intending pilgrims at the permanent Hajj camp in Abuja.
He also urged them to pray for themselves and for the entire country, especially now that the nation was facing security challenges.
He said that it was the desire of the present administration to provide the enabling environment for FCT residents to discharge their religious obligations in line with the doctrine of freedom of worship.
“That is why the administration will continue to put necessary machinery in motion to actualize the success of pilgrimage to the holy land as one of the important religious obligations.
“ Due to the importance attached to hajj, the administration, through the FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, has continued to introduce a number of strategies, one of which is orientation and education of pilgrims.”
The permanent secretary said that medical screening and other relevant programmes were also organised to address certain obstacles dogging the success of hajj operations over the years.
“As an administration that gives high premium to the welfare of its residents both at home and abroad, it is our desire to ensure that they get the best treatment.
“To achieve this, the administration has successfully concluded all necessary arrangements for the welfare of our contingent to the holy land.’’ Chukwu expressed confidence that with the commitment of the entire staff and the behaviour of the intending pilgrims, this year’s exercise would be rated above the previous years.
He commended the Saudi Arabian authorities for the introduction of e-tracking system.
By Michael Otogo
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