Nigerian Christians hoping to visit the Holy Land have had to cancel plans, as pilgrimages have been suspended indefinitely over safety concerns.
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), which coordinates pilgrimages, said the measure was necessary to ensure the “safety and comfort” of Christians amid the latest outbreak of conflict between the US, Iran and their allies.
Just under half of Nigeria’s population is Christian, with thousands travelling to the Holy Land each year, often with state support. Easter marks the busiest time of year for Christian pilgrimages. The suspension affects both state-organised and privately arranged trips.
As an ally of the US, Israel has been the site of retaliatory attacks carried out by Iran. Two attacks carried out this morning struck Malkia and Ramot in Upper Galilee.
Israel is one of several countries where passengers have been stranded as airspaces closed. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran and Iraq have grounded all flights.
Rev John Hayab from the Christian Association of Nigeria told the BBC that all Nigerian pilgrims in Israel and the West Bank, around 600 people, had been evacuated to Jordan and returned home since hostilities began on Saturday.
The NCPC emphasised that pilgrimages will resume only when it is safe to do so.