Pilgrims from Osun State to the 2023 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have protested what they termed poor feeding conditions in the holy land.
From video clips, pilgrims were heard complaining about the type of food given to them.
Some of the pilgrims, on condition of anonymity, revealed that for some days, their food rations have not been sufficient for them.
“For the past four days, they have been feeding us with four slices of bread and two eggs. But now we can no longer endure because the officials and members of the board are being fed with special food.
“But it is from the money that we paid that they are being taken care of. That’s why we are protesting,” one of them said.
It was also gathered that during the protest, the pilgrims dumped their food at the doorstep of the rooms of the Amir-ul-Hajj, Alhaji Maruf Isola located at the hotel where they are lodged in Makkah.
However, the Osun State Muslim Welfare Board has debunked the news of the poor feeding of the state’s pilgrims in the holy land.
This was made known on Sunday by the Board’s Administrative Secretary, Bolaji Sanni on behalf of the Amir-ul-Hajj, Moruf Ishola.
Ishola declared the readiness of the Board, to at all times, ensure that pilgrims from Osun State continue to enjoy the best of life as they perform this year’s hajj.
He also described the rumour making the rounds of poor feeding arrangement for the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia by the Board as totally baseless and unfounded.
The Board described the rumour as completely fabricated by fifth columnists aimed at smearing its good reputation and the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke which had earlier put all necessary arrangements in place to make this year’s hajj a success.
“We recall with satisfaction how the Osun State Pilgrims Welfare Board adequately facilitated the smooth journey of the Osun pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Nigeria,” it said, adding that the rumour making the rounds of poor feeding arrangement should be completely discountenanced by the public.
“The alleged poor food being purportedly served to the pilgrims was a political mischief intentionally fabricated by fifth columnists to wilfully disparage and malign the good reputation of the Board.
“The board will not leave any stone unturned to correct such erroneous impressions being created in the minds of the innocent public.
“All the pilgrims are in good spirits in the holy land and doing well as they look forward to performing some of the last hajj rites very soon without any problem whatsoever,” he added.
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