One hundred and seventy-one, (171) female pilgrims were deported from Saudi Arabia today, arriving the Malam Aminu International Airport in Kano on wednesday afternoon.
The Federal Government however gave the Saudi Arabia government 24 hours to expedite action in resolving the issues surrounding the detention of over 1000 other female pilgrims from Nigeria.
Vice President Namadi Sambo gave the ultimatum when he summoned the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Khaled Abdrabuh, to his office.
About 1000 Nigerian female pilgrims in Saudi Arabia adjudged by the authority to be without male companion (Muharram) have been detained in Jeddah and Madinah.
Sambo expressed the country’s displeasure over the treatment being meted out to Nigerian pilgrims performing this year’s pilgrimage in the holy land.
He said reports available to him suggested that only Nigerian pilgrims were being subjected to such dehumanising treatment.
Sambo, therefore, requested the Saudi Arabian authorities to apply caution and flexibility to allow the pilgrims undertake their sacred religious duties.
“Should the Saudi authorities not desire our pilgrims to perform this year’s Hajj, they should let the country know.”
He said that no reasonable and responsible government would sit and fold its arms while its citizens are manhandled.
The vice president, therefore, requested the Ambassador to do all within his powers to ensure that the issues were resolved within 24 hours, and the outcome communicated to him.
While explaining the position of his government, Abdrabuh said that Nigeria was not being treated in isolation, and that all the countries participating in the Hajj were affected.
He said that the issue of Muharram for female pilgrims was not a new policy, but that the Saudi government decided to be flexible in the past.
He revealed that the Ministries of Hajj, Foreign Affairs and Interior and the governor of Mecca were meeting in Riyadh, the country’s capital, with a view to resolving the impasse speedily.
Abdrabuh expressed the hope that the matter would be resolved within 24 hours. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
There surpose to be understanding between the two governments over the issue.Since it has been a thing that surposed to have been in practice for long which Saudi Governmet now feels that it should not be neglected again,they have to do it gently so as to make proper conduction of the service.
ReplyDeleteReports available to Sambo said only pilgrims from Nigeria have been treated this way. Nigeria was not being treated in isolation replied Saudi Ambassador.Whose version is not true? I bet Sambo's. 'No reasonable & responsible govt sits down while its citizens r manhandled' There ve not bn any reported case of manhandling instead we have citizens being blown away everyday while govt goes to sleep. Careless talk everyday in Naija. Why have U pilgrims being taking policy unseriously? This is wat I expect d govt to look into than to wash dirty linen in public. Is it today u realise Nigeria's foreign image is gone down d drain? If we ve d clout, we wud ve bn consulted properly. PH Dude
ReplyDelete24 hours? And then what?
ReplyDeleteI am sure that the issue is not new and would be resolved amicably.
ReplyDeleteEmpty threats. Are they going to start roaming the streets to fish out Saudi Arabians this time? They think this is South Africa? Let our Gov get serious and all this nonsense will stop. Shameless ppl
ReplyDeleteSaudi authorities must have acted on the past conduct of Nigerian female pilgrims... If your rule is for a female to have a male companion, why neglet it? A lot of question are begging for answers. Were Nigerian female pilgrims in the past involved in some act that they wouldn't have if they were accompanied? Mek una think well before we blame Saudi authorities.
ReplyDeleteAll said and done. The vice president is not a human being. "No government will sit to watch his citizen being treated in a bad way" Boko haram is bumbing churches every week and killing christians. What do you people do. Just because prostitutes were deported from saudi arabia, you are now giving 24 hrs. ISLAM IS FOR PEACE.
ReplyDeleteThe Saudi's don't want Boko Haram Muslims in their county
ReplyDeleteThe behaviour of Nigeians abroad is a reflection of the character of the characters we have at the country's helm of affairs. It is no surprise therefore to get this sort of reaction from our number 2.
ReplyDeleteThere is a clear, established, old rule that a single, unaccompanied woman can not perform the Hajj. How did these women leave Nigeria? Who allowed them to, with the plethora of Hajj specific agencies in the country? Why does anyone in Nigeria expect the rules to be bent or broken for Nigeria and Nigerian women? Saudi or any other country for that matter is not Nigeria, where rules are made to be broken. If Nigerians can not obey the laws of any other country, they should stay at home.
This same sort of issue and attitude is on-going in Lagos State, whose officials are now saying that those who can not respect and obey the laws, customs and traditions of Lagos should either stay put wherever else they might have come from, or return there. Simple and straight.
One final point. It is common, street, and official knowledge that some Nigerian women go on Hajj to engage in illicit activities. This being so, the Saudi's have every right to rid their country of people who violate the rules in such a manner that suggest they are on Hajj for illict activities.
These are the issue Nigerian authorities should be addressing because they bring such odium to us a people and our country too.
The answer is simply they don't want boko haram in their country. the earlier you Understand that and do something, the better for Nigerians in other country too.The way you Muslim are fighting against the film that insults your Mohammed, you can use the same way to fight boko haram. If this continues, Our country will continue to face the same problem. I used to know Muslims as a peaceful religion but now a days i don't seem to understand again. What ever happens now, its Muslims or are they using it as cover. clear your name in this aspect then you can move forward to reclaim peaceful religion
ReplyDeleteWho issued visas to these women to go to Saudi Arabia in the first place?
ReplyDelete