– Says visa processing in advanced stage
– Holds 1st Hajj Summit, Calls for partnership
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, said visa processing for intending pilgrims to the 2024 Hajj has reached an advanced stage.
The Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Mallam Jalal Ahmad made the announcement on Thursday at the first National Stakeholders Summit of Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah Industry.
Muslim News gathered that the two-day summit began yesterday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua center Abuja, with the theme, “Partnership, Collaboration and Teamwork: The Tripod of Success for 2024 Hajj Operations.”
Two distinguished scholars Dr. Hassan Manakhra, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah in charge of International Collaboration, Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia and Professor Salisu Shehu, Vice-Chancellor, Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State, Nigeria were the keynote speakers at the Summit.
The Chairman, in his welcome address disclosed that approved carriers for the spiritual journey to the holy land in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are fully ready for the airlift of the pilgrims from 10 departure centres.
The Hajj Commission boss also noted that close to 65,500 Muslims from Nigeria would be participating in the forthcoming Hajj 2024.
The figure (65,500), he said, represents the cumulative of contingents of state pilgrims welfare boards/agencies/commissions and tour operators.
“All pilgrims of state pilgrims welfare boards/agencies/commissions will be visiting Madinah Munawarrah for a maximum of four days before the Hajj exercise. This is a major change from the operations of hajj in the last decade,” he added.
Jalal Arabi said the coming together of stakeholders in Nigeria’s hajj management ecosystem to deliberate on the success of 2024 Hajj operations is a divine responsibility and highly rewarding venture.
The NAHCON boss also mentioned in his remarks that all stakeholders are working to provide effective and efficient services to the guests of Allah (Duyufu-Rahman), noting it underscores the importance of the summit.
“NAHCON as a regulator of hajj affairs in Nigeria and hajj mission for the Nigerian pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia deems it fit to dialogue with critical stakeholders with a view to resolving core operational issues and build strong cordial working relationships with the executives and officials of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions and Tour Operators as the licensed organizers of hajj and umrah.
“The preparation for this year’s hajj was characterized with different challenges. Alhamdulillah, we are able to overcome these challenges ranging from hajj fare, exchange rate, number of registered pilgrims, visa processing, accommodation, mashair and other logistics.
“The various challenges faced by the Nigerian pilgrims this year can only be compensated with effective and efficient service delivery that will engender the renewed hope of Nigerian pilgrims and emergence of Nigeria as the best hajj mission globally. A feat that can only be actualized through partnership, collaboration and teamwork on the airlifting, accommodation, transportation, feeding and mashair activities,” he said.
Jalal Arabi assured all stakeholders that NAHCON under his leadership is ready to partner, collaborate and work as a team for the attainment of successful 2024 hajj operations.
“Permit me to thank my boss, the Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria for his continuous support for the growth and development of hajj management in Nigeria. My deep appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General NSCIA who always provides necessary guidance for the leadership of NAHCON. Then, Lotus Bank for extending their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) gestures to NAHCON and HIN by sponsoring this programme,” he added.
The summit continues today with technical sessions and a general session, where the stakeholders will dialogue among themselves and resolutions guiding the 2024 Hajj operations would be unanimously adopted.
Summit embodies spirit of synergism, innovativeness: Rector
The Rector of Institute, Prof Mohammed Nasir Maiturare, who spoke earlier noted that the summit intended to serve as a crucial platform for fostering cooperation and collaboration between NAHCON, SMPWBs, Private Tour Operators and all stakeholders in the hajj industry.
“On behalf of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria, I am honoured to welcome our highly distinguished guests and valued members of the hajj and umrah industry to the very first National Hajj Stakeholders’ Summit. This historic event, no doubt comes at a pivotal moment when preparations for 2024 Hajj are being concluded.
‘”Furthermore, the Summit aligns perfectly with His Excellency, the Vice President’s call for synergy and fresh perspectives to the operations of the commission when inaugurating the 5th Board of NAHCON. This summit embodies that very spirit of synergism and innovativeness, as envisioned by His Excellency.
“Therefore, as we stand on the threshold of the 2024 hajj season, it is imperative that we, as a collective body serving the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, come together in a spirit of unity and cooperation. As we all know very well, hajj is a sacred pilgrimage, a cornerstone of Islam, and a deeply personal journey for the pilgrims. It is, therefore, our shared responsibility to ensure a smooth, fulfilling, and spiritually enriching experience for all Nigerian pilgrims,” he added
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