By Matthew Denis
Intending Muslim pilgrims for the 2020 hajj have been cautioned
against using the spiritual pilgrimage as cover up for medical
tourism.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Kwara State Muslims
Pilgrims Welfare Board and made available to Pilot Aviation on
Saturday.
According to the statement, the Executive Secretary of the Board,
Alhaji Tunde Jimoh stated this during a meeting with hajj coordinators
from all the 16 Local Government Areas and hajj registration officers
across the state, in Ilorin, at the weekend.
He said any pilgrim discovered to have been nursing any ailment would
not be attended to in Saudi Arabia, adding that only those who fall
sick in the course of the hajj rites would be given medical treatment
in the holy land.
He explained that the hajj is for spiritual exercise and not a
medical trip for pilgrims, enjoining philanthropists not to sponsor
sick people for the 2020 hajj.
“As the 2020 Hajj exercise is set to commence, the Kwara State
Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board advises those who intend to sponsor
Pilgrims to 2020 Hajj not to sponsor sick people in the interest of
the beneficiary
“If we look at the way sick people suffer in Saudi Arabia (during
hajj) one will pity them. Gone are the days when Saudi Arabia takes
responsibility of sick pilgrims visiting the Kingdom,” he stressed.
Jimoh also advised the aged who intend to travel with the board for
next hajj to ensure they are accompanied on the trip by a blood
relation who will take care of them in Saudi Arabia.
He noted that because of the rigourous nature of the hajj exercise,
old people are always helpless and may not be able to fulfil their
religious and spiritual obligations unaided.
The Executive Secretary therefore advised the coordinators to be
honest with their clients and carry out their dealings with the
intending pilgrims with the fear Allah.
He appreciated the state government for the sponsorship of state
medical team for the hajj this year, saying their presence lessened
the burden of the board as regards health challenges of some pilgrims.
