Nigeria’s Amirul Hajj and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, on
Friday night said Nigerians will no longer participate in the stoning of
devil ritual, except they get accommodation close to Jamrat, where the
exercise will take place.
The Emir’s reaction followed the recent stampede in Saudi Arabia that killed several pilgrims, including about 70 Nigerians.
He also reiterated his earlier position that blacks, particularly Nigerians were not responsible for the stampede.
The
Emir, who quoted several verses of the Qur’an, said refusal to perform
the stoning of devil ritual does not in any way invalidate one’s
pilgrimage.
He said, “During the era of Prophet Muhammad (SAW),
he permitted pilgrims who came on camels to stay in Makkah after Arafat,
instead of staying in Mina and sleeping at Muzdalifa.
“So, if
the Prophet can give such grace to some people, just to protect their
animals, why didn’t our scholars educate our people properly to avoid
this untoward hardship and death?
“Therefore, it will be part of
my recommendation to the Federal Government that, if we cannot get
accommodation close to Jamrat where the Arabs reside in Mina, then this
year may be the last time we will sleep in Mina and Muzdalifa because we
want to stone the devil.
“If one deliberately refuses to perform
the stoning of the devil ritual, all he needs to do is just to
slaughter a ram. So, if this is the situation, why do we go and suffer
and die instead of sacrificing a ram.”
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