President Muhammadu Buhari successfully performed the Umrah (lesser Hajj) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Thursday morning.
The President, who arrived the Holy Land via Jeddah from Medina at about 1.20am (local time) on Thursday, proceeded to the Holy Mosque, Kaaba, for the performance of the Umrah.
During the Umrah, some of the annual pilgrimage rites are performed.
The President, who wore the Ihram, performed the Tawaf (walking seven times around the Kaaba) and Sa’y (running between the hills of Safa and Marwa) and said the two-Raka’a prayer in line with the pilgrimage rites.
Buhari performed the lesser Hajj along with the Governors of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari; Borno, Kashim Shettima; Osun, Rauf Aregbesola; Katsina, Aminu Masari, and Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun.
Others who performed the Umrah with the President were the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd); some traditional rulers, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwan Akiolu.
Some Islamic leaders and prominent businessmen, including Alhaji Isa Funtua and Chief Wale Tinubu, also performed the lesser Hajj with the President.
Speaking on the spiritual journey of the President, Yari commended Buhari for choosing to come and personally pray for peace and prosperity of Nigeria.
He maintained that God Almighty would always accept the wishes and prayer of those in position of leadership.
On his part, Sanusi described the performance of Umrah by Buhari as a personal spiritual journey for him.
He said: “As you well know, Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and the Kaaba is the holiest Mosque and also the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina.
“The visit to Mecca and Medina is actually a personal spiritual journey for the President and he used the opportunity to pray for the country.”
