The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that it is yet to receive formal communication from the Saudi Arabia Government over the report mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for pilgrimage to the holy land, for umrah (lesser hajj).
The spokesman of the NAHCON, Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, told Daily Trust on Friday that the Saudi Arabia authority has not communicated to NAHCON, thus, this has not been made formal yet.
“We cannot say for sure that the vaccine is mandatory, because from the report that I read, the Saudi Arabia Minister of Hajj and Umrah Affairs was advising Muslims going for Umrah to take the vaccine.
“So, he did not say it is compulsory,” she said.
According to her, even at that they (Saudi Arabia) have to communicate to countries that the vaccine is compulsory before anybody can say anything about it.
“Also, the commission has been in contact with the PTF on COVID-19.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that we meet all the regulations and everything that has to do with COVID-19.
“So, if it is mandatory, though we have not gotten there yet, the commission is in contact with the PTF to do whatever is necessary pertaining to the pilgrimage and COVID-19,” Usara said.
The Minister of the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Muhammad Saleh Benten, reportedly said that the Coronavirus vaccine would be made mandatory for umrah pilgrims.
Benten, while talking to Al-Arabiya channel after receiving his Coronavirus vaccine in Jeddah, said whoever wishes to perform Umrah pilgrimage should take Coronavirus vaccine through Sehhaty application.
He further said that all other measures including sanitizer, social distancing and masks would be followed during the pilgrimage even if pilgrims have taken the COVID-19 vaccine.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
