UCA News
Contribute

Saudi Arabia deports female Nigerian haj pilgrims

150 women were denied entry to the country for traveling without a male family member or chaperone
Saudi Arabia deports female Nigerian haj pilgrims
Published: September 28, 2012 05:31 AM GMT
Updated: September 28, 2012 05:32 AM GMT

Saudi authorities have deported 150 female Nigerian pilgrims and detained another 1,000 because they came unaccompanied by men, Nigeria’s government announced on Wednesday. Mohammed Bello, chairman of Nigeria’s national haj, or Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, said 150 women on one flight had been stopped at the airport for “lack of … lawful male accompanying pilgrim”. “This ugly development continued with subsequent flights that arrived at the kingdom,” he said, adding that 1,000 were still being held at the airport in Jeddah. Women in Saudi Arabia are regarded as minors and require the permission of their guardian – father, brother, or husband – to leave the country, receive some kinds of medical treatment or work. They are not allowed to drive and are usually expected to be accompanied by a male chaperone. Nigeria has some 80 million Muslims. Many practice a relaxed version of Islam, but even in stricter northern states that impose sharia law, women can usually move around freely on their own. A group of the women arrived in tears back at Nigeria’s airport in Kano, the largely Muslim north’s biggest city. “We were not given water to drink; there was no food for us and we remained glued on our seats in our aircraft for all those hours,” said Hajia Amina Musa, as she broke down and wept. Full story:Saudi deports 150 female pilgrims, holds 1,000 more, Nigeria saysSource:Reuters

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia