The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based civil society organisation dedicated to monitoring and reporting Hajj activities, has called upon the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to promptly announce the commencement date for airlifting Nigerian intending pilgrims from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In a statement released on Sunday and signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, the IHR emphasised that nearly all major Hajj participating countries have already announced the dates for the inaugural flights of their pilgrims.
Traditionally, it has been the norm in Nigeria for NAHCON to disclose the date, venue, and which states’ pilgrims will be transported during the country’s inaugural flight to Saudi Arabia.
Expressing concern, the CSO noted that with only a few days remaining until the closure of the e-track portal for visa issuance, NAHCON has yet to announce crucial details regarding the commencement and logistics of the airlift.
The IHR highlighted that Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, and even the Ghana Hajj board have all publicly announced the dates for the commencement of their pilgrims’ airlift operations. For instance, Indonesia’s Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisations stated that the first batch of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims will depart for Madina on May 12-23, 2024, followed by subsequent batches.
In contrast, the absence of similar announcements from NAHCON has raised concerns among stakeholders and intending pilgrims alike.
The IHR’s call underscores the importance of timely communication and logistical planning to ensure a smooth and organised Hajj pilgrimage experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
