The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has concluded all arrangements to airlift the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims to the holy land for the spiritual journey of hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, on Wednesday, May 15.
Muslim News gathered that the inaugural flight is scheduled to take off from the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, with the first batch of Kebbi State pilgrims on board.
“By 15th of May 2024, the outcome of preparations for the year’s Hajj season would manifest with the planned take-off of 428 passengers on FlyNas airline to Saudi Arabia,” said Fatima Sanda Usara, the Commission’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, in a statement, released on Monday, May 13.
“Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima is expected to lead a delegation including diplomats, members of the Hajj industry, other dignitaries to the special event.
“The onward airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will last until 10th day of June or hopefully earlier. Pilgrims will travel in groups of 45 according to Saudi Arabia’s guidelines; missing out from the group could come with consequences as stated by the host country,” the statement read.
About 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims to perform Hajj
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Commission, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi had earlier revealed that approved carriers for the spiritual journey to the holy land are fully ready for the airlift of the pilgrims from 10 departure centres.
Arabi disclosed that about 65,000 Muslims from Nigeria would be performing this year’s pilgrimage, assuring readiness and commitment to airlift everyone to and from Saudi Arabia without any hassle.
The figure (about 65,000), he said, represents the cumulative of contingents of state pilgrims welfare boards/agencies/commissions and private 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.
#NAHCON team arrives in Saudi
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)’s 43-man advance team has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the final preparation to receive the first set of Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi, who will be departing for the Kingdom on May 15.#Hajj #Hajj2024 pic.twitter.com/MQP2dw14WF
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) May 13, 2024
Advance team already arrived KSA in preparation
As at the time of filing this report on Monday, May 13, an advance team, a 43-member group of the Commission, has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the final preparation to receive the first set of Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi State, who would be arriving the Kingdom on May 15.
The team who departed Abuja, the country’s capital on Sunday, May 12 comprised of medical personnel from the National Medical Team (NMT), media staff, accommodation officials, few feeding committee members, select members of the Central Security Committee members as well as the National Reception Team.
The NAHCON Boss, in a brief farewell ceremony, held at the Hajj House in Abuja, congratulated the team on their selection, stressed the importance of the conduct of the advance team, and admonished them to serve the guests well.
“You are the first point of call or contact with the pilgrims. Their impression and perception of your actions or activities will go a long way toward assessing the commission. If you get it right, we get it right and on the contrary, if you get it wrong, the rest will just be about crisis management.
“Therefore, you must be up and doing to earn your reward here and that of Allah in the hereafter for treating His guests well. They are the reason you are there, so at every point in time, make sure you attend or treat them with courtesy and respect,” he was quoted as saying.
He, however, warned that NAHCON would take “drastic actions” against members of the team reported to have deviated from any rules of engagement while urging veteran members of the team to offer assistance to the inexperienced.
“Take the admonition seriously, the bar has been raised and the expectation is high. You have been carefully selected because of the trust we have in you and as such, you need to brace up. Laxity and procrastination will not be tolerated.
“I want to urge you to work as a team and cooperate. Those of you who are veterans should assist and guide those who are new on the job so that we can achieve success collectively,” he added.
This year’s hajj rites are expected to commence from the evening of Friday, June 14 till the evening of Wednesday, June 19. The timing is contingent upon the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
Sponsored
