Intending pilgrims from Lagos State for this year’s hajj have been guaranteed of a proper arrangement that will make the exercise less stressful to them.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Layode, who gave the assurance at a news briefing in Alausa Ikeja, said the first batch from the state would depart on Friday.
Mr Layode said the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board had partnered the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to ensure that the intending pilgrims had timely information on their departure dates to avoid keeping them in camp for too long.
Mr Layode said that efforts were ongoing to resume Christian pilgrimage that was stopped due to the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
On efforts to ensure religious harmony, Mr Layode said the ministry had organised regular meetings with Christian and Muslim leaders to resolve sensitive issues at a round table with understanding from both parties.
The Commissioner explained that the part of the Anglican Church Okepopo on Lagos Island that was demolished was done with the agreement of the church leadership for the good of the community and that the government would rebuild the youth church and the perimeter fence to the satisfaction of the church.