The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board said no fewer than 70 percent of 2016 intending pilgrims have paid the hajj fares in full. The Executive Secretary of the board, Hajia Fatimoh Abolore Jimoh disclosed this yesterday during an enlightenment programme for intending pilgrims organized by the board.

She said the board had already fixed last Friday as deadline for payment of balance of hajj fares but extended it due to economic hardship in the country which many of the intending pilgrims complained about.

Hajia Jimoh urged the remaining 30 percent intending pilgrims who have not paid up their hajj fares to do so on time, saying that full payment of hajj fares would facilitate secured slots for the intending pilgrims.

The Executive Secretary said medical screening for 2016 intending pilgrims would commence immediately after Ramadan. She added that the screening would be thorough with a view to preventing people with health problems and pregnant women from going to hajj, adding "anybody with such problems would not be spared".

She said grade one accommodation had been secured for Kwara intending pilgrims in the holy land to ensure their comfort. Hajia Jimoh explained that other necessary arrangements were being put in place to ensure hitch-free hajj.

In his remark, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold who was represented at the event by the Director Economic Affairs, Governor's Office, Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammad Olohuntoyin urged intending pilgrims to be patient and cooperate with the board.

He said government was doing everything possible to ensure the comfort of the intending pilgrims before and while in the holy land. The Imam Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Alhaji Abdulwahab Muhammad Jamiu described Hajj as one of the pillars of Islam which Muslim faithful should always be ambitious to perform.

While urging intending pilgrims to prepare for the exercise with good intention, he advised them to see the exercise as a means of spiritual development. The cleric also implored them to offset their debts and make adequate provision for the comfort of their families before leaving for the holy land. "You must avoid ill-feelings and settle rift between you and your family members or neighbours. Beside this, you should attach great importance to other pillars of Islam, particularly daily prayer. These are some of the preparations for hajj", he said.

The Imam of the board, Imam Abdulkabir Mahmood later educated the intending pilgrims on the practical aspects of the exercise.