Only 1, 881 out of the over 3000 intending pilgrims who registered with Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (KWMPWB) would perform this year’s Hajj from the state.

The list of successful applicants was pasted at the board’s headquarters on Thursday with the intending pilgrims rushing to check if their names were cleared for the holy journey.

The list was coming amidst 20 per cent reduction in the slots allocated to the state as applicable to other states of Nigeria.

It would be recalled that Saudi Arabian authorities have slashed slots of external intending pilgrims, citing the ongoing renovation work on Kaaba as the rationale for the development which affects several countries including Nigeria.

It was mixed feelings  since the list was pasted as some of the intending pilgrims were seen wearing gloomy faces for not making the list.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Hajia Fatimoh Jimoh told Weekly Trust  that with the reduction of the state’s slots by 20 per cent, one out of every five intending pilgrims could not  make the list, disclosing that 1, 881 slots given to the state had been exhausted.

She urged those who could not make the list to be patient and have the belief in Allah “that whatever comes to a Muslim, it is Allah at work”, adding that those whose names were on the list have been destined by God.