Lagos State has lost one of its pilgrims for this year's Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Oloshogbo Isiaka Idris, after his return from Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Taofeek Lawal, the Board Secretary, Mr Saheed Onipede, disclosed that the deceased, aged 68 years from Shomolu Local Government Area of the state, died while eating his food in the evening prayers (after Solat Maghrib).
Although he said the cause of Idris' death was yet to be medically ascertained, it could not be unconnected with high blood pressure, BP and the stress he passed through during the tawaf.
While extending the condolences of the state government to the immediate family and friends of the deceased, he prayed that Allah would forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanat Fridaos as well as the reward of the Hajj, since he already had the intention.
The Board Secretary appealed to other pilgrims to exercise caution and refrain from overstressing themselves before the commencement of the real Hajj rites which are yet to be fulfilled.
He added that the late Idris has been buried in Makkah in line with laid down principles of Saudi Arabian authorities, while a board member, Waheed Ololade Shonibare, led other state government officials and some pilgrims to observe janaza prayer for the pilgrim in Kaabah.
Meanwhile, Onipede has disclosed that the last batch of the pilgrims from the state would leave Madinah for Makkah on Thursday to continue other aspects of the spiritual exercise, after spending the mandatory four days allowed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, for pilgrims to stay in Madinah.
He said during their stay in Madinah, the pilgrims embarked on various religious activities such observing regular solat in Masjid Nabawih (Prophet Mosque), visitation to the Raodah (a special section) in the mosque which has spiritual implications for any pilgrim that endeavour to visit as well as visitation to the tomb of the Prophet and his companions, to pray for them.
The secretary listed other sites visited by pilgrims to include Masjid Quba (the first mosque built by the Prophet in Madinah); Masjid Qiblatain (mosque with two qiblas); Mountain Huud (where Hamzat and many other companions were killed and buried) during a war with the unbelievers, amongst others.
