TheCable

Some pilgrims from Katsina state have rejected the accommodation provided for them by the state pilgrims welfare board in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

According to NAN, the pilgrims numbering about 300 complained that the Dar al Sa’adatu wal Khair hotel lacked basic facilities for human habitation.

Most of the rooms had no air conditions and adequate toilets, with as many as 15 people expected to share one toilet facility, the pilgrims who arrived Makkah around 4pm on Monday said.

After refusing to go into the hotel, they camped at the Katsina state office in Makkah, where they passed the night.

Abdullahi Mahuta, chairman, Katsina state house of assembly committee on hajj monitoring, pleaded with the pilgrims to exercise patience.

Mahuta said they had discussed with the hotel management to rectify the anomaly.

He also advised them to remain calm so as not to “spoil” their hajj by certain actions that may run against the rules governing hajj obligation.

Also, Mannir Yakubu, deputy governor of Katsina, pleaded with the pilgrims to accept the accommodation and promised them that the facilities lacking in the hotel would be provided within a short time.

Despite the plea, some of the pilgrims vowed to remain at the state office throughout their stay in Makkah.