President Bola Tinubu has left Abuja for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to undertake the Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah, a journey he said will include prayers for the progress of Nigeria.
The Nigerian head of state departed the capital by air, heading directly to the holy city of Makkah, the site of the Kaaba and the focal point of Muslim worship worldwide. The trip is being undertaken in his personal capacity as a devout Muslim.
Umrah, often referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage,” can be performed at any time of the year and involves a series of ritual rites, including circumambulating the Kaaba and walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah. It is distinct from the Hajj, which has a fixed annual schedule.
In a statement released prior to his departure, Tinubu indicated that his prayers would focus on Nigeria’s development, emphasizing hopes for peace, stability and economic growth across the nation.
A video of the president’s departure and arrival in Makkah has been published by Punch Nigeria, providing visual coverage of the journey.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
