Saudi Arabian authorities have announced that a 30-year-old Nigerian pilgrim has given birth to a baby boy.
Gatekeepers News reports that the birth of the bundle of joy, however contravene the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON’s) rule that says pregnant women shouldn’t participate in this year’s hajj.
NAHCON’s Chairman, Jalal Ahmad Arabi had in May revealed in an interview that Saudi authorities had threatened to fine Nigeria if the ban on pregnant women was breached. He noted that the long-standing law would be strictly enforced this year.
In 2023, seventy-five (75) pregnant women were referred to clinics during the hajj.
Women are allowed to perform hajj, however, the physical demands and stress of the pilgrimage can cause significant damage for pregnant women.
On the current issue, the Saudi Press Agency disclosed that the baby, named Mohammed, was the first to be born during this year hajj.
The agency added tha the baby was delivered at the Makkah Maternity and Children’s Hospital after his mother arrived at the emergency room after experiencing labour pains at 31 weeks of pregnancy.
According to the agency, the emergency team examined her condition and transferred her to the maternity ward, where she gave birth naturally.
The Head of NAHCON’s medical mission who confirmed the report said that the pilgrim was from Borno State and had evaded the mandatory medical screening in Nigeria.
