As concerns rise over the conduct of some pilgrims, particularly Nigerians, during Umrah and Hajj at holy sites, the Nigerian Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and relevant authorities have been urged to take greater interest in social media content produced by some Nigerian pilgrims and visitors in Makkah and Madinah.
The call was made by a former National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Muhammed Kadade Suleiman, in a statement in Abuja.
Suleiman asserted that videos featuring pranks, mockery, inappropriate skits, performances and other forms of disruptive behaviour are capable of trivialising the sanctity of the holy sites for entertainment or social media engagement.
He appealed to the Nigerian Embassy in the Kingdom, as well as other authorities, to focus their attention on social media content being made by Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.
According to him, Nigerian authorities should engage with their Saudi counterparts with a view to raising awareness among Nigerian pilgrims.
He submitted that where individuals repeatedly engage in conduct that violates Saudi laws or regulations, the authorities should consider bringing such cases to the attention of the appropriate Saudi authorities for appropriate actions.
‘I respectfully call on the Nigerian Embassy and relevant Nigerian authorities in Saudi Arabia to pay greater attention to social media content being produced by some Nigerian visitors in Makkah and Madinah.
‘Of particular concern are videos involving pranks, mockery, inappropriate skits or performances, disruptive behaviour, or content that appears to trivialise the sanctity of the holy sites for entertainment or social media engagement.
‘I urge the Nigerian authorities to engage with their Saudi counterparts, raise awareness among Nigerian pilgrims, and, where individuals repeatedly engage in conduct that violates Saudi laws or regulations, consider formally bringing such cases to the attention of the appropriate Saudi authorities, including, where legally justified, consideration of visa restrictions or future visa bans,’ Suleiman stated.
He declared that his call was not meant to either harass or shame those involved in the act, but to preserve the dignity of the Holy Land.
‘This is not about harassment or public shaming. It is about preserving the dignity of Makkah and Madinah and ensuring that Nigerians visiting these blessed cities conduct themselves with the reverence they deserve,’ he said.
He appealed to Nigerian pilgrims to not only uphold Nigeria’s dignity, but also respect the sanctity of the holy sites.
Saudi Arabia maintains regulations governing conduct at the holy sites, with pilgrims and visitors expected to observe the religious and public-order requirements of the Kingdom.