The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Wednesday said less than 2500 intending pilgrims have so far paid for their fares out of the 4,365 allocated to the FCT by the National Hajj Commission, four days to the deadline.
The Director of the Board, Abubakar Adamu-Evuti, who stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja, said the February 12 deadline remains unchanged, adding that N4,699,000 has been approved for this year’s hajj.
He said those that have made initial deposit of N5.5million would have their balance returned.
Adamu-Evuti advised those who have interest to perform this year’s Hajj but have not yet made any payment to use the four days’ window to do so.
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Our correspondent reports that the airlifting of intending pilgrims will start on May 19, while the orientation exercise ends in April.
He warned that with the new regulations from Saudi Arabia, there will be no room for late registration, adding that the ongoing sensitization exercise will be put on hold during the Ramadan period.
On accommodation, the board said it has secured good ones but urged all intending pilgrims to disclose their health status as people with health challenges as well as pregnant women are not allowed for the exercise.
Adamu-Evuti called on the faithful who like to sponsor their elderly family members to look for a reliable helper that will guide them throughout the period of the exercise.
He also announced that the board lost a pilgrim during the 2023 exercise and was buried in the holy land.
