Dr. Yusuf Alrigasiyyu, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, has announced that intending pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj are required to deposit N3.5 million for a Hajj seat.
The agency has set September 1st, 2023, as the start date for collecting deposits from intending state pilgrims. These deposits will be held until the final fare for the Hajj seat is determined by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He made the disclosure on Wednesday when he appeared on Freedom Radio, a private station in Kaduna to give an update on the 2023 hajj exercise.
“From September 1st next month until December, we will be collecting Hajj fare deposits from intending pilgrims. We anticipate each pilgrim to deposit at least N3.5 million, with the final fare to be announced by NAHCON,” Dr. Alrigasiyyu explained.
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He further clarified that their goal is for the Hajj fare to be lower than N3.5 million, resulting in a refund of the remaining balance to the intending pilgrims who deposited N3.5 million.
Dr. Alrigasiyyu expressed concern about the participation of elderly pilgrims in the 2023 Hajj exercise, despite the agency’s warnings against it.
He pointed out that some elderly pilgrims were reliant on Hajj officials for basic tasks such as cleaning and personal care due to their age.
Issuing a warning, he stated that starting next year, elderly pilgrims will only be permitted to visit the holy land if accompanied by an assistant.
Addressing the issue of overcrowding and shortage of tents observed among Nigerian pilgrims during the recent Hajj in Muna, Dr. Arrigassiyu assured that none of the Kaduna pilgrims slept outdoors due to tent shortages. He highlighted that state pilgrims were housed comfortably in Makkah city, with better accommodations and meals compared to other states.
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