By KEMI KASUMU
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the invitation by the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Sheikh Salman, to perform the lesser Hajj, Umrah, in the Holy Mosques of Makkah and Madinah, provides him the opportunity to take his country before Allah with a view to seeking His help towards successful delivery from its challenges and achievement of his political, economic and security plans for the good of the people.
The President, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said it was about the best honour that can be done to any nation or individual for Saudi Arabia to extent such invitation to Nigeria as to come and perform lesser hajj in the Islamic World headquarters.
The Nigerian Leader arrived Madinah International Airport in the City of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) at about 6.00pm local time on Thursday.
To receive him at the Airport was a high powered Saudi Arabia government delegation led by the Deputy Governor of Madinah, Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal.
Also at the Airport included Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Dodo, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mallam Ahmed Rufa’I Abubakr and other personalities.
This is the second time President Muhammadu Buhari is being invited to the Kingdom within the last three years.
In a press interview during the arrival, Senior Special to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the Kingdom’s King Salman has taken it as tradition to invite Muslim World leaders to come and perform less hajj in the country and that to be so selected, like he did to Nigeria’s President Buhari, he said, is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed to any nation.
“Actually this is an honour, not only to President Muhammadu Buhari but, to Nigeria as a nation.
“Really, for any Muslim, whether a leader or follower, this is the greatest honour that can be bestowed on anyone or a nation and then we are well pleased with this.”
Shortly on arrival, President Muhammadu Buhari joined the Muslim Ummah at the Mosque of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) in the heart of Madinah to break his fast and observe the Magrib prayers.
This was as the most revered section of the mosque was opened for him and his delegation as a mark of honour and respect.
It was therefore opportunity to pray fervently for Nigeria.
“The President has been troubled over time by some of the new challenges, particularly as they relate to security of the country. And the President, as all other believers, believes there is a sense that prayers will help.
“Law enforcement agencies are doing the little they can, citizens are dong whatever they can, to ameliorate and combat the situation.
“So, we are taking our case to the Almighty in the hope that especially at this time of Ramadan, which is a very holy period for Muslims, God Almighty will listen to Nigerians and will ease our current national dispensation,” Shehu said.
The DEFENDER reports that President Muhammadu Buhari was scheduled to depart Madinah on Friday 12 Ramadan 1440AH equivalent of 17 May 2019 for Makkah to perform the lesser Hajj and the Grand Ka’abah.
