Barely a month to the commencement of airlift of Pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj, the authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified its preparation with the second phase of education and orientation exercise for its Intending Pilgrims.
The Administration through it Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, said it has mapped out strategy to conduct hitch free exercise by preparing the Intending Pilgrims to attain an acceptable Hajj despite the shortest time available to prepare.
The Director of the Board, Mallam Muhammad Nasiru Danmallam who disclosed in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Muhammad Lawal Aliyu and made available to Journalists in Abuja Nigeria’s capital explained that the Intending Pilgrims would be enlightened on the entire hajj operation on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of this month at the Permanent hajj transit camp, near the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja from 8 o’clock in the morning.
Danmallam explained that with 1537 seats allocation for this year’s hajj, the Board has streamlined its preparation to ensure that Intending Pilgrims from the territory get the best services compare to non in line with the aspiration of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
He said that Board has already mobilize renowned Islamic scholars for the exercise to educate the Intending Pilgrims on the Hajj rites as well as new policies introduced for this year’s hajj by the Saudi authorities and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The Director advised Intending Pilgrims from the territory to participate in all programmes organized by the Board especially with the new policies and guidelines introduce for hajj this year by Saudi Arabia after covid-19 pandemic.
He explained that the Board would not relent in its effort to ensure that the Intending Pilgrims from the Territory attain an acceptable hajj by complying with the rules and regulations put in place by relevant authorities for the exercise.
The Director further disclosed that the Board has already commenced the process of transferring the deposits of those who have already opened their personal Hajj Saving Account with Ja’iz Bank as directed by NAHCON.
Danmallam therefore warned all intending pilgrims who are yet to submit their account details or submit their International Passport to do so to enable the Board commence the process of their travel documents as soon as clear signal on the exercise is received from relevant authority.
He reassured the Board’s principle of first-come first-served in selecting those that would participate in this year’s hajj exercise through the Board.
He advised intending pilgrims particularly the first timers, to take advantage of the exercises and enhance their Islamic knowledge on Hajj rites and proper guidance toward the attainment of acceptable Hajj.
Ime N