Israel, Jordan excluded from 2024 Christian pilgrimage

The next batch of Christian pilgrimage will be observed in Rome and Greece, excluding Israel, Jordan and some parts of the middle-east due to the ongoing conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Rahila Isa-Baita, Acting Director of the FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, made the announcement at the start of the screening of potential pilgrims for the 2024 main pilgrimage at the board’s office in Abuja.

Mrs. Isa-Baita, who stated that the pilgrimage exercise will last eight days and nine nights, noted that this time the pilgrims will travel on the Shengen Visa.

The Acting Director of the Board said the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) under the leadership of Reverend Yakubu Pam and the council of states decided to initiate the special pilgrimage plan to ensure a continuity of the exercise despite the ongoing crisis between the Israelis and Palestinians which had lasted for over a hundred days.

“In Rome, the pilgrims will walk the streets walked by the Apostle and visit the colosseum where the martyrs testified which would leave a lasting spiritual impact in their lives of the pilgrims”, she said.

The Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Bunkure, represented by her Special Assistant on Social Development, Helen Zamani who was also screened for the next batch of pilgrimage declared the screening opened and cautioned the intending pilgrims not to abscond while observing the pilgrimage.

One of the medical personnel screening the pilgrims, Dr Omokide Moshood said they were been screened for diabetes and hypertension, and those with complications of diabetes and hypertension would be screened out.

I visited Jerusalem in 2006, as a Bible student, the exercise help him to put picture to significant places mentioned in the Bible and since then, he longed for another experience”. One of the intending pilgrim, Dr Clifford Zira stated.

For Phoebe ElIsha, she expressed sadness that she would not visit Jerusalem, Jordan and other places excluded due to the ongoing conflict.

Christian pilgrimage is an opportunity many Christians long because it rekindles the flames of faith and love for God.

The book of the Bible, Psalm 84:5 says, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage”.

CREDIT: FRCN