The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Board has announced that a total of 1888 pilgrims will perform this year's holy pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Hajia Fatima Jimoh, made this revelation in her office on Friday while speaking with journalists on the preparation of the Board for this year's Hajj. According to her, the final list of 1888 intending pilgrims  has been pasted and there is no crisis whatsoever from those who had to be dropped.

In her words, "contrary to the erroneous view of some people, the pasting of names of intending 2013 pilgrims went well, no problem with anyone at all. People have been coming to check their names and those who saw their names were happy while those who did not see theirs have taken it as the will of Allah and in good faith. There is no resentment or mishap at all."

Jimoh further explained that a total of 470 intending pilgrims had to be dropped in compliance with the Saudi Arabia authority on the number of pilgrims for the state.

According to her, those whose names were dropped had been given the option of either waiting till next year or collecting their money back.

The executive secretary pointed out that, "the holy pilgrimage is an act of worship and no true Muslims would want to cause any crisis because his or her name was dropped from performing the holy pilgrimage. Don't forget we are in the Ramadan season, you can go out and see for yourself, everyone is calm there is no rancor whatsoever. "

Reflecting on the season, the executive secretary reminded Muslims to remain pious during and after the Ramadan season. "I encourage my brothers and sisters in Islam to remind committed to Almighty Allah and may He accept our fasting as an act of Ibadah," she said.

Meanwhile, Health officials in Saudi Arabia have asked pilgrims visiting its holy sites to wear masks in crowded places to stop the spread of the MERS coronavirus.

A list of requirements issued by the health ministry also tells elderly people or those with chronic diseases to postpone their pilgrimage.

Thirty-eight people have died from the virus in Saudi Arabia.

Millions of Muslims from around the world are expected to take part in the Hajj this October.

Once a year, pilgrims make the journey to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and pray together before the Kaaba.

Muslims also travel to the site at other times, as well as visiting the Masjid Al-Nabawi, or Mosque of the Prophet, in Medina.

Health officials urged people taking part to maintain personal hygiene standards, use a tissue when sneezing and coughing, and have the necessary vaccinations.

The MERS (Middle East respiratory-syndrome) coronavirus emerged in the Arabian peninsula in September 2012 and is part of a large family of viruses, which includes the common cold and Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

The World Health Organization has so far confirmed of a total of 80 cases of infection, including 44 deaths worldwide.

Saudi Arabia introduced requirements for polio immunisation certificates in 2003 after fears of a resurgence of the virus.