76,000 Nigerians to perform Hajj this year
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A total of 76,000 Muslims from Nigeria will participate in the 2016 holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The figure is the Hajj slots approved for Nigeria by the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has already distributed the slots among the 36 States of the Federation, the FCT and the Armed Forces contingent including 10,000 slots for pilgrims who will undertake the spiritual journey through the services of private tour operators.
In a statement by the NAHCON Head of Media, Mallam Uba Mana, the distribution “was sequel to Hajj quota of 76,000 pilgrims approved for Nigeria by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
He explained further that the “Kingdom approved 66,000 slots for pilgrims from government quota and 10,000 for pilgrims coming through Private Tour Operators.”
Mana said that stakeholders especially all the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions were aware of the latest development as the announcement was made at the second preparatory meeting for 2016 Hajj held recently at the National Mosque Auditorium, Abuja.
“Similarly, the Commission issued guidelines for licensing of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Bodies; Registration of Pilgrims; Accommodation of Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and Provision of Catering Services.
“The guidelines were sequel to Rules and Regulations Governing Hajj and Umrah developed by the Commission in line with its Established Act,” Mana clarified.
He noted that the guidelines are meant to streamline Hajj and Umrah operations and set standards in the management, conduct and provision of Hajj and Umrah services to Nigerian pilgrims.
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3 Comments
What’s the projected number of persons to transit to paradise this year from stampede which has become a permanent feature of Hajj? If the government washes its hands off religion as required by the constitution, this number will reduce drastically, as only very few persons will spend their legitimate earnings to embark on the venture, but when government pays, every criminal wants to join the bandwagon to the ‘holy land’.
Well said. Who will challenge this violation of the constitution ?
I hope in this time of austerity that the FG is not footing the travel bills for any pilgrim. Also, I hope there will be measures put in place to avoid the carnage of citizens’ lives.
We will review and take appropriate action.