As part of the key activities planned to set the tone for the 2024 Hajj rites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ogun State pilgrims have visited the tomb of Prophet Mohammed in the sacred city of Medina.

The tomb, regarded as the Holy Rawdha, is the area between the site of the Prophet's home and the Minbar inside the Masjid al-Nabawi or the Prophet's Mosque.

Speaking on the significance of the visit, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Lateeef Lawal, said the Rawdha presents an opportunity for pilgrims to offer supplications to Allah, adding that the Prophet described the place as the center between the earth and Jannah (paradise).

Dr. Lawal urged Muslims planning to embark on Hajj to endeavour to visit and pray at the Rawdha before proceeding to Mecca, as encouraged by the Prophet and Islamic clerics for centuries.

"The Rawdha is located in Masjid Nabawi here in Medina. It is the area where he once lived, and where his tomb now lies along with those of his trusted disciples, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and Umar ibn al-Khattab. This noble place offers us pilgrims, the opportunity to pour out our hearts to Almighty Allah and make abundant du’a", he said.

Contributing, Head of the Medical Team for the 2024 Hajj Exercise, Dr. Nasirudeen Bello, disclosed that the pilgrims would be taken to other historical sites, appreciating the state government, through the Pilgrims Welfare Board, for ensuring adequate welfare of the pilgrims.  

On her part, another pilgrim from Ogun State, Hajia Kudirat Bashir, observed that the officials of the Ogun State Pilgrims Board excelled at ensuring that all Ogun Pilgrims were able to visit the Holy Rawdha, describing her experience so far, as exciting.