• First batch departs June 3 as agency pledges better deal for pilgrims
Nigeria’s foremost hajj and umrah operator, Hajj Mabrur Ventures Limited (HMVL) has introduced a travel insurance package, a tracking system and other packages to ease the 2024 hajj exercise for its pilgrims.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Alhaji AbdulHameed Solate, made this declaration while speaking at a two-day hajj seminar for intending pilgrims at the Islamic Center, University of Lagos. The seminars held on May 19 and 26.
The agency had earlier held a two-day medical screening for the intending pilgrims within Lagos and its environs between May 17 and 18 at Abiodun Fashakin crescent, Anthony.
A similar event was organised for the intending pilgrims in Abuja on May 25 at Stonehedge Hotel, Central Business District while a Zoom lecture was organised for intending pilgrims in diaspora who desire to embark on this year’s spiritual journey with Hajj Mabrur.
The seminar featured presentations from officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigerian Immigration Service as well as medical doctors who educated and sensitized the intending pilgrims.
Speaking with Muslim News, Alhaji Solate announced that the inaugural flight will begin on Monday, June 3, saying the company has introduced different packages that will make the 2024 hajj a smoother experience for about 400 intending pilgrims who are embarking on the spiritual journey.
He said, “For this year, we have directly 326 pilgrims performing under Hajj Mabrur. All together, we are going with 400 pilgrims because of other companies collaborating with us. We have put so many things in place.
“Basically, we have tried to simplify their guide which is part of the packages they are going to get – such as an infograph of what they will go through during their journey, starting from the airport. They will be well guided even without the presence of officials. It is easy to comprehend. It has a step by step of what you are expected to do as an intending pilgrim.”
The CEO stated that Hajj Mabrur is adding a travel insurance package for all its pilgrims in addition to whatever has been prepared for them by the Saudi Arabia government. It also covers the period they will spend between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, and back home.
“Then, we are doing some other things in terms of IT and digital media to make things easier for them, including our meals. The essence is to ensure the pilgrims have a seamless operation to navigate the processes easily.
“From the experience we have acquired over the years, especially for the elderly pilgrims who may miss their way among other things, we are introducing a measure that will make it easier for us to track their movements at any point in time. Even if they miss their way, we can track them and bring them back without stress..
Alhaji Solate, however, stated that the pilgrims won’t be paying extra money for the packages, adding that it’s part of what stands Hajj Mabrur out.
“Like I have always said, the company is not set up primarily for profit making like many other businesses. It’s owned by an a religious (Da’wah) organisation, The Muslim Congress, with a primary goal to propagate Islam and ensure hajj is done the right way. So, whatever comes in is only meant to propagate the deen.
“Hence, the foremost objective for us is, “Let people go on hajj, perform it properly, improve their level of spirituality and experience the maximum level of hospitality they can ever imagine. All these are done at Hajj Mabrur, with no extra cost other than the cost of hajj. That’s what we do.
‘Hajj challenges are unpredictable’
Talking about challenges during hajj, Alhaji Solate said they aren’t predictable, saying, “We can only see it when we get there, but we always prepare for challenges. For instance, the tough experience we had last year was never expected. We didn’t see it coming.
“By and large, I know the Saudi Arabia authorities have done a lot, and the Hajj Commission is also trying its best, but we still need to be well prepared for unforeseen situations, going by what we have witnessed in the past, especially during last year’s hajj. We’ll do everything possible to take care of all our pilgrims. We’ll do everything that will make their stay in the holy land a lot easier for them.
“That notwithstanding, we must realise that Hajj is not designed to be a bird of roses, Allah wants us to learn from it, just as we must strive to lessen the burden for pilgrims, irrespective of the challenges. The most important thing, however, is patience. Pilgrims should have the right intention that they are embarking on hajj for Allah,” he said.
About Hajj seminar, medical screening
Alhaji Solate stated that the medical screening was organised to ascertain the health status of the intending pilgrims and cautioned pilgrims against going to the holy land with prohibited items.
“As part of our custom at Hajj Mabrur, we always go with a medical team and we do run a mini-clinic over there. We have taken all of them through medical screening, which we have done for two days and we have the records of all pilgrims. We give them all necessary information regarding their health conditions to enable our medical team prepare for them. We are doing all these to ensure they experience a hitch-free hajj”.
“During the seminar, we involved the Immigration, Nigeria Customs and NDLEA officials to sensitize pilgrims on how they should conduct themselves at the airport both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia so they will not be implicated. They were also advised not to go with any contraband item and be watchful of their luggage at all times.
“Our Ulamah took them through the spiritual aspect of the journey, how to perform the rites of hajj and umrah, among others. By Monday, June 3, we will begin our first flight, biqudiratiLAllah“, he added.
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