NIGERIA- President Muhammadu Buhari, in the course of the week, embarked on an official and spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia to thank Almighty Allah as he prepares to hand over the mantle of leadership to President-elect, Senator Bola Tinubu, on May 29.
President Buhari departed Nigeria on Tuesday for Saudi Arabia on an official visit from April 11 to 19.
An earlier statement issued in Abuja by Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, said the journey would be Buhari’s last trip to the Kingdom as President.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami and Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, who spoke to newsmen on the significance of the President’s trip, said Buhari was in the Holy Land to thank Almighty Allah for the successful eight years in service of his country.
The president, who was accompanied by his aides, first visited Madinah where he toured some historic religious places, including the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilisation in the city as part of his engagement in the Holy City.
While at the Museum, the president maintained that “the spread of true knowledge of the religion of Islam is the most important task now facing global Muslims.”
He commended the Saudi government for deploying latest technological tools in presenting the core of Islam, its lofty purposes, and qualitative teachings.
According to the President, the Muslim community needs a system that is futuristic, bringing knowledge and education in a new system that will make for a good understanding of the very features of the religion.
Buhari observed the five daily prayers as well as Taraweeh prayer at the Masjid Nabawi before departing for Makkah via Jeddah, late on Wednesday, for the lesser pilgrimage.
The president, alongside his aides, some traditional rulers and religious leaders successfully performed Umrah rituals, amid tight security, upon his arrival at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
