Buhari In Saudi Arabia For Lesser Hajj

President Muhammadu Buhari has departed Abuja for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in this year’s Lesser Hajj.

The aircraft conveying the president and members of his entourage took-off from the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 11.00am.

At the airport to see the President off were his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); and Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu among other government functionaries.

President Buhari’s trip to the Holy Land followed an invitation by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the king of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

According to a statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja confirmed that President Buhari would perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) while in the Kingdom.

The President last performed the Umrah in Saudi Arabia in February 2016. Umrah is an optional but recommended pilgrimage to Makkah that can be made at any time of the year. – NAN