The first batch of Muslim pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) contingent to the 2016 Hajj operation in Saudi Arabia has returned to Abuja from the Holy Land.
The returnee pilgrims were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello Sunday evening.
The Minister, who was represented at the event by the Acting Secretary of Transportation Secretariat, Alhaji Abdul-Hamid Suleiman urged the returnee pilgrims to continue to imbibe the good virtues practiced during the Hajj exercise.
Malam Bello enjoined the returnee pilgrims to continue to pray for the nation and its leadership because the country needs such prayers.
The Minister commended the returnee pilgrims for being good ambassadors of the Federal Capital Territory and by extension the country at large while at the Holy Land.
About 424 pilgrims comprising 201 male and 222 female make up the first batch of returnees who landed at the Airport out of the 2,975 that participated in the 2016 Hajj Operation in Makkah/Madinah.
Some returnee pilgrims who spoke to reporters thanked Allah for giving them the opportunity to perform this year’s Hajj.
