Popular fuji artiste, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, is among the over a million Muslim pilgrims who converged on Mount Arafat for the 2022 Hajj operations.
The same applies to seasoned broadcaster, Sulaiman Adebayo Adegbenro, aka Consoligbadun, who has also been feeding home with details of the spiritual trip, which is one of the pillars of Islam.
The pilgrimage is not Pasuma’s first but he has been particularly excited about it, posting pictures from Saudi Arabia.
Many Nigerian entertainers, especially Yorubas, have observed the pilgrimage – right from the old eras of the likes of Haruna Ishola, Ayinla Omowura, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Dauda Akanmu Epo Akara, Tatalo Alamu, Amuda Agboluaje, Kollington Ayinla and Salawa Abeni.
Younger acts like Abass Akande Obesere, Saheed Osupa and actress Kabirah Kafidipe have also been to Hajj.
For the musicians, the journey produces experiences they spiritedly sing about.
Staying the whole day at Arafat is one of the high points of the Hajj operations after starting with spending of a night at Muna on Thursday.
As the News Agency of Nigeria also reports, standing on the Arafat is an essential part of the Hajj because it is a site where all supplications by pilgrims are automatically accepted by Allah.
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Pilgrims are expected to use the day for prayers for themselves, families, friends, the Muslim community as well as their countries.
The Hill of Arafat is also known as Jabal ar-Rahmah, meaning Mountain of Mercy.
On the ninth day of hajj, pilgrims leave Mina for Mount Arafat where they stand in contemplative vigil and pray and recite the Quran.
It is here that Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life.
A pilgrim’s Hajj is considered invalid if they do not spend the afternoon on Mount Arafat.
The hajj, usually one of the world’s largest annual religious activities, is prescribed for all Muslims to perform at least once in a life time.
This year no fewer than 42,000 Nigerian pilgrims from states and private tour operators are participating in the religious exercise.
