In a world often clouded by stories of dishonesty, a Nigerian pilgrim from Plateau State, Hajiya Zainab has become a beacon of integrity when she returned a lost sum of $5,000 (approximately ₦8.2 million) to its rightful owner, a Russian pilgrim.
The incident occurred on Tuesday while millions of pilgrims performed their religious rites at the Masjidul Haram in Makkah.
According to officials from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajiya Zainab stumbled upon the money inside the mosque and immediately took steps to ensure it was returned.
Confirming the incident, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Pilgrims Board, Hon. Daiyabu Dauda, praised the pilgrim’s rare show of honesty.
“She demonstrated exceptional integrity and honesty by returning $5,000 she found in Masjidul Haram to its rightful owner. That’s a remarkable act of kindness,” he said.
With the help of NAHCON officials and Saudi authorities, the rightful owner, a Russian pilgrim, was identified and the lost money was returned to him.
Her action has earned widespread commendations from Netizens and other international pilgrims.