The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has ramped up its preparations for this year’s hajj by launching the second round of instruction and orientation for its Intending Pilgrims just a month before the airlift to Saudi Arabia begins.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by PRO, FCT-MPWB Muhammad Lawal Aliyu, the Board’s Director, Mallam Muhammad Nasiru Danmallam, stated that the Board has mapped out a strategy to conduct a hitch-free exercise by preparing the Intending Pilgrims to achieve an acceptable Hajj despite the shortest time available to prepare.
The Director said that the Intending Pilgrims would be enlightened on the entire hajj operation on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of this month at the Permanent hajj transit camp, near the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja from 8 o’clock in the morning.
He further stated that with 1537 seats allocation for this year’s hajj, the Board has streamlined its preparation to ensure that Intending Pilgrims from the territory get the best services compare to non in line with the aspiration of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
He said that Board has already mobilize renowned Islamic scholars for the exercise to educate the Intending Pilgrims on the Hajj rites as well as new policies introduced for this year’s hajj by the Saudi authorities and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The Director advised Intending Pilgrims from the territory to participate in all programmes organized by the Board especially with the new policies and guidelines introduce for hajj this year by Saudi Arabia after COVID-19 pandemic.
He further stated that the Board would not relent in its effort to ensure that the Intending Pilgrims from the Territory attain an acceptable hajj by complying with the rules and regulations put in place by relevant authorities for the exercise.
He hinted that the Board has already commenced the process of transferring the deposits of those who have already opened their personal Hajj Saving Account with Ja’iz Bank as directed by NAHCON.
He therefore warned all intending pilgrims who are yet to submit their account details or submit their International Passport to do so to enable the Board commence the process of their travel documents as soon as clear signal on the exercise is received from relevant authority.
He reassured the Board’s principle of first-come first-served in selecting those that would participate in this year’s hajj exercise through the Board.
He, however, advised intending pilgrims particularly the first timers, to take advantage of the exercises and enhance their Islamic knowledge on Hajj rites and proper guidance toward the attainment of acceptable Hajj.