TheCable

The Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation, has asked governors-elect to avoid unnecessary political decisions that could disrupt the ongoing hajj operations across states.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ibrahim Muhammad, national coordinator of the organisation, said the airlifting of intending pilgrims would commence on May 25.

The president-elect and governors who won in the recently concluded elections would be sworn in on May 29.

Muhammad said while the airlifting of pilgrims would be ongoing, the new governors should exercise restraint and not change some of the boards saddled with the responsibilities.

He cautioned that any alteration to the states’ pilgrims’ welfare board may jeopardise the operational system.

“While we congratulate and welcome the newly elected governors, we strongly appeal to them not to alter the ongoing operational structures in their various states to avoid disrupting the ongoing 2023 operational blueprints that may eventually create confusion during the airlifts of our dear pilgrims,” the statement reads.

“It is noteworthy that arrangements for all hajj services have been completed while NAHCON, states Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, hajj air carriers and other hajj service providers have mapped out strategies on how the exercise will be executed.

“The closest hajj officials that can be reached by pilgrims are the state pilgrims boards officials – who registered the pilgrims, conducted enlightenment, facilitated the issuance of their visa, distributed bags and uniforms to them.

“These operational activities gave the local pilgrims’ officers direct contact with the pilgrims and at most times, they knew the pilgrims by name.

“The consequence of distorting the state pilgrims’ board’s administrative structure is that the executive secretaries to be appointed will immediately come with their own teams to replace the local pilgrim’s assistants – who had earlier created an interactive bond with the pilgrims.”

The national coordinator urged governors-elect to be sensitive to the plight of the pilgrims, adding that they have paid from their savings to perform hajj.

While commenting on the impact of the Sudan civil war, he said “at this time, any politically motivated decision must be well-thought-out not to disrupt the smooth hajj operation”.

“Whenever they decide to effect some changes in the administrative algorithms of the pilgrims’ boards. Our concern is the pilgrims’ welfare,” he added.

“We appeal to the new governors to be circumspect in taking any decision so as not to jeopardise the smooth hajj operations.”