A Nigerian pilgrim from Gumi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Muhammad Na’Allah, has returned the sum of €1,750 (One thousand, seven hundred and fifty Euros) which he found at the Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON for onward delivery to the owner.
This was the second time that such character would be exhibited by pilgrims from the country after Abba Limawa from Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State returned 10,500 Russian Rubles, 800 Dollars and 690 Saudi Riyals, he also found in Makkah to the authority.
Receiving the €1,750 found by Na’Allah at the NAHCON office in Ummuljud, Makkah, the commission’s chairman, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi praised the pilgrim, saying the act symbolizes his name (Na’Allah) which demonstrated his closeness to Allah.
“This shows his pilgrimage has positively impacted on his personal character, behavior and attitude,” Arabi told the officials of the Zamfara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, who accompanied Na’Allah to the commission’s office
The chairman had also last week commended the Jigawa pilgrim, Limawa, 52, who returned the lost money for being honest and projecting the image of Nigeria positively before the international community.
The pilgrim explained that he found the money inside a waist bag while on his way to pray at the Masjid Haram (Mosque).
“Initially, I wanted to ignore the waist bag and move to the Mosque, but on second thought, I said it might belong to a Nigerian, especially some of our old women.
“So, I decided to pick it, and I proceeded to the mosque. When I returned to my accommodation, I opened the bag and discovered that there was no Nigerian currency or sign that it belonged to a Nigerian.
“Immediately, I approached one of the officials of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, narrated the story and presented the money to him.
“From there, he commended me for showing exemplary character and honesty and told me that he would hand over the money to the NAHCON to ensure that the owner gets their money,” Limawa explained.