A Nigerian pilgrim yesterday returned about N500,000, belonging to an Afghan pilgrim, which he picked up from the Holy Mosque, in Makkah.
Sulaiman Bello from Nasarawa State, was stated to have found the waist band containing 2, 345 USD, 303 Saudi Arabia Riyadh and 3,020 Afghan currency, and other document and handed same to his State’s officials, who in turn handed it over to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, officials.
For making Nigeria proud, NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Mukhtar, while presenting the money to the owner, Haji Mosa Gousdin, in the presence of Sayed Tahir Hashimi, of the ministry of Hajj, Kabul, Afghanistan, and other NAHCON officials, in Makkah, stated Bello, would be sent on pilgrimage next year, at no cost of his.
He further stated other arrangements would be put in place to honour Bello, so as to serve as a morale booster to other Nigerians, adding that Bello’s action, has gone further to prove that Nigerians are trustworthy, reliable and also have fear of Allah.
As stated by Muktar, Bello’s action would go a long way to portray Nigeria and Nigerians in good light in the eyes of the world.
Responding, Hashimi, said: “We really appreciate your gesture, not everybody will find these type of money and return it. You have demonstrated the fear of Allah by resisting the temptation of money.
“This singular act would go a long way in strengthening the brotherhood and good relations between Nigeria and Afghanistan. The gesture is equally a testimony that Nigerians are good people, ” Hashimi, added.
On his part, the owner of the money, who counted it to ascertain if the actual amount he lost was what was found, expressed gratitude to Bello and prayed Allah to reward him abundantly.