A Nigerian pilgrim from Gumi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Muhammad Na’Allah, has returned €1,750 (One thousand, seven hundred and fifty Euros) which he found at the Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He handed the money over to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for it to be returned to its rightful owner.
This is the second such act of honesty by a Nigerian pilgrim in recent times. Previously, Abba Limawa from Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State returned 10,500 Russian Rubles, 800 Dollars, and 690 Saudi Riyals.
Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, the commission’s chairman, praised Na’Allah when he received the €1,750 at the NAHCON office in Ummuljud, Makkah. He noted that Na’Allah’s actions reflect his name, which signifies closeness to Allah. “This shows his pilgrimage has positively impacted his personal character, behavior, and attitude,” Arabi said to officials from the Zamfara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board who accompanied Na’Allah.
Arabi also commended Limawa, the 52-year-old Jigawa pilgrim, for his honesty in returning the lost money, highlighting how such acts positively project Nigeria’s image internationally.
Limawa explained that he found the money inside a waist bag while heading to pray at the Masjid Haram. “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,” he said.
Upon returning to his accommodation and discovering the contents, Limawa realized there was no indication the bag belonged to a Nigerian. He approached an official from the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, narrated the story, and handed over the money. “He commended me for showing exemplary character and honesty and told me that he would hand over the money to NAHCON to ensure that the owner gets their money,” Limawa explained.
