over the reported ban by Saudi Arabia on pilgrims from West African
countries, following the death in that country of a patient, who
contracted the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, while he was on a business
trip to Sierra Leone.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, reportedly suspended
pilgrimage visas for West Africa sub-region after World Health
Organisation, WHO, and Saudi authorities confirmed the infection from
tests that were conducted on samples from the victim.
Although the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA,
tactically avoided comment in order not to give way to unnecessary
controversy over the issue, some eminent leaders likeBaba Adinni of
Lagos, Sheikh Hafiz Abou; Director, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC,
Professor Ishaq Akintola and former National Commissioner, National
Hajj Commission, Alhaji Liad Tella agreed that the reported ban by
Saudi Arabia authorities was nothing to worry about.
Sheikh Abou said that since the EVD was not from Nigeria, there was
hope that Nigeria's case in the matter would be explicitly identified
as not being part of the problem.
His words: "As at now, only the National Hajj Commission, NAHCO, could
give a position on the matter regarding the fate of the affected
countries. When a plague had broken out in an area, why should people
move from that area to another place where hundreds of millions of
people are congregating from all over the world to worship?
"Even Islam teaches us that when things like this happen, that our
movements should be restricted. That is the Sharia and all these are
for our good health as stipulated by Islam. When the few that are
affected now take their problem to inflict the millions of others that
are free of it, does it do any good? It is unIslamic to do that.
"Our appeal to the media is to be cautious about reportage of this
matter because Saudi Arabia is a straight-forward, strict and
disciplined society. But we cannot blame them because this is not the
first time it is happening. It is, therefore, not a problem at all. It
is even Islamic that they are taking that precautionary measure,"
Sheikh Abou said.
In his own reaction, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II said
" in spite of the spread of the virus, Nigerian Muslims are still
going to perform this year's hajj."
Professor Akintola on his part simply described the report of the ban
as an unverified information that only the National Hajj Commission
could clarify.
The university don said: "The National Hajj Commission are better
placed to know exactly what is happening. They are closer to Saudi
Arabia authorities and I believe that they are very active on this.
So, we are watching the situation, we are observing It will be
speculative when comments are based on what is likely going to happen.
Fairness and justice are not done to any side."
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