TheCable

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation, says states pilgrims boards should have commenced enlightenment campaigns to prepare intending pilgrims for the 2024 hajj. 

In a statement issued on Monday, Ibrahim Mohammed, national coordinator of the organisation, said intending pilgrims may be unable to save gradually for hajj if registration is delayed.

Mohammed said the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has about 120 days to complete all preparations for 2024 pilgrim registration.

He said all states’ board should have commenced “collection and deposit of pilgrim’s fares, signing of MOU and engagement with service providers both at home and in Saudi Arabia”.

The Saudi Arabian ministry of hajj and umrah had earlier asked all countries participating in the 2024 hajj to start preparations four months after the previous exercise.

The Saudi ministry also issued guidelines and advised that arrangements for 2024 hajj registration be concluded at least 45 days before the commencement of the exercise.

“While we acknowledge the recent advice by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for pilgrims to save N4.5 million as a deposit, we believe that is not enough,” the statement reads.

“Currently, states have less than 120 days to register 2024 intending pilgrims and we are aware of the uncertainties around how much will be the equivalent of dollar components in the hajj rate template.

“In addition, we expect that all states should have announced the commencement of registration of intending pilgrims while NAHCON on its part moves with lightning speed to negotiate how to get the foreign exchange component benchmark of the forthcoming pilgrimage.

“Anything short of that is simply risking Nigerians’ participation in Hajj 2024.

“States pilgrims boards must as a matter of urgency embark on state-wide publicity on 2024 registration as every other arrangement is tied to the number of pilgrims that will be registered by the states.

“As far as we are concerned, both NAHCON and the states have no option but to close ranks and work in harmony with regards to the Hajj saving scheme because it is the best avenue available for pilgrims to save gradually and travel for Hajj whenever their savings are enough to enable them to secure a slot.

“The recent short and shortened hajj calendar made this option imperative.”

The IHR coordinator urged NAHCON and state boards to embark on nationwide campaign to encourage intending pilgrims to commence payment of deposit ahead of the 2024 hajj exercise.