Hajj hurdles to cross

Based on lunar calculations, 20th day of August is the tentative date of Hajj 2018 Arafat. Expectedly, closure of all Saudi entry points is on the 4th of Dhul Hijja as is customary in the country; except for defaulters who must pay a fine before allowed entry into the Kingdom. However before arrival of these events, there are new developments that Nigerian pilgrims for 2018 Hajj need to know and understand because of their replica effect on the chances of embarking on the pilgrimage, cost and comfortable stay in the holy land.

To begin with, unless federal government of Nigeria opts to crash foreign exchange rate for pilgrims, intending Hujjaaj should braze up to the reality of the final cost of the pilgrimage falling on either side of the pendulum. This final amount will be decided depending on the calculated cost of transportation, goods and services to be rendered to pilgrims from the day of their departure from Nigeria to the time of their return.

Secondly, intending pilgrims must come to terms with side effect of the freshly introduced 5% Value Added tax (VAT) which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has placed on some goods and services in their country. This move forms part of Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s economic reform policies in the face of falling oil prices so as to reduce the country’s dependency on oil revenue and boost non-oil income as a means of diversifying the country’s economy. It is estimated that over 21billion US dollars will be generated as revenue from just this avenue representing 2% of the country’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Needless to say, this VAT will affect the cost of stay in the Kingdom despite the fact that not all sectors are affected by the taxation. Areas affected by the VAT are fuel, food, clothes, electricity and telecommunication. 

Those exempted are medical and financial services, and educational materials. So far, online media sources report an indiscriminate hike in cost of living in the Kingdom despite efforts by government forces to checkmate opportunists from taking undue advantage of the reforms to place hardship on residents and visitors. There are indications that prices of fruits and vegetables have risen to about 40% while those of fuel and fuel products have jumped to 55% with cost of electricity said to have tripled. Even price of cup of coffee has changed, it is alleged.

This year’s Hajj is coming with an additional surcharge placed on returning pilgrims. The new guideline stipulates that any re-entry into the Saudi Kingdom within the space of three years attracts an addition 2,000 Saudi Riyals as visa fee. Hitherto, any number of times one visits the Kingdom for religious reasons, vis-à-vis Hajj and Umrah; one would do so for free. But with this development, Saudi Arabia will lift this entry levy off only first timers. Hence, this amount will automatically be deducted from the pilgrim’s expenditure at the time of visa processing because Saudi data bank will indicate when the person had last visited the Kingdom. Therefore, to save returning pilgrims from likely disqualification, it is best to retire the said amount at the time of Hajj payment. Reason for this surcharge is same as above; to earn additional income in the face of low oil prices. Some Saudi apologists are quick to justify this charges considering the enormous amount the Kingdom expends in the course of hosting pilgrims yearly.

Away from financial calculations, another newly introduced entry requirement for Hajj 2018 is the biometric data registration without which one is disqualified. Besides, even after the biometric capture, one’s entry permit risks being nullified if information contained in the e-passport does not correspond with the biometric data content or if such information is incomplete. According to Saudi authorities, this move became necessary for safety and security of pilgrims and to reduce waiting time at immigration counters at Saudi Arabia’s point of entry. Therefore, to avoid inconveniences and embarrassment, intending pilgrims are advised to give accurate and complete information about themselves as contained in their e-passports and other verifiable documents at the time of the biometric registration. Similarly, they must be on the alert to proceed for the biometric capture as soon as National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) announces commencement of the exercise since Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not entertain excuses. 

Time is already advancing and to capture bio data of about 95, 000 intending pilgrims within a short period is no child’s play. Indeed, there are already reports that umrah applicants spend days queuing to get captured being that so far, only three centers have been provided for the exercise by the Saudi approved firm. Many visa applicants have to embark on long journeys to the designated centers either in Abuja, Kano or Lagos to get their fingerprints and other features registered. As the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, rightly observed, delay in the commencement of the registration is caused by the seeming “non-preparedness of the company appointed to implement the policy in Nigeria”.

At this point, intending pilgrims must keep in mind certain truths that might save them from falling into uncomfortable situations. They must know that ferrying foods into Saudi Arabia is not allowed except in quantities sufficient for consumption prior to settling down. Consequently moderation on all eatables is the watchword.  Likewise, drugs are not allowed except accompanied by prescription and must not be concealed suspiciously. It is also helpful to remember not to conceal any currency exceeding equivalent of $4, 000; the internationally accepted Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) limit. Any amount beyond this must be declared at both exit and arrival points; for doing short of this is tantamount to money laundering thus a punishable crime. 

Lastly, before the lucky ones embark on the 2018 pilgrimage to the holy sites of Mecca and Medinah, it will be wise of them to keep in mind withdrawal limits from ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) for their own sake. The approved limit thus far is $1,000 monthly and $300.00 daily. It would be helpful to find out each bank’s withdrawal charges as some charge as high as N1,000.00 per withdrawal while others charge N420. 00 for same. It will also be clever to keep these expenses and situations in mind before the Hujjaaj begin any souvenir shopping spree that leave many cash strapped.

Usara writes from NAHCON media unit.