• Warns against disruption of airlift of pilgrims
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned a section of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) against activities capable of disrupting the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for Hajj 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
The warning was a follow-up to the earlier statement issued by the Commission, which stated that the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the organised labour will not affect airlifting of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj.
NAHCON’s Assistant Director, Fatima Sanda Usara, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Chairman/CEO, Mallam Jalal Arabi, appreciated the concerns of the NLC over the welfare of its members but called upon the organised labour to respect the sanctity of Hajj as a religious obligation which Muslims do not take lightly.
The Commission, therefore, advised the NLC to apply caution not to tamper with course of the hajj conveyance as a courtesy to the Muslim faith.
“Disruptive action against the smoothness of the operation would deprive intending Muslims their fundamental rights to worship, considering the limited time left before the closure of Jeddah and Madinah airports for the pilgrimage.
“The NLC is advised to respect the sensitivity of this divine devotion and not to encroach on its movement,” she added.
Muslim News gathered that the Commission has airlifted a total of 38,249 pilgrims to the holy land in 97 flights.
“The remaining 28,000 intending pilgrims will have to be airlifted before June 12, when Saudi Arabia is expected to close its borders for the hajj operations. Out of the number, the private tour operators will airlift about 15,000 through chartered flights,” she added.
