Arewa New Agenda, (ANA), a Pan Northern Forum supporting the National Hajj Commission, (NAHCON) on Thursday, kick-started a sensitization exercise for Hajj stakeholders in Kaduna State.
The Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Samaru Zaria, Barrister Shamwil Mohammed Nasir, said
the exercise was timely especially for intending pilgrims on timely payments of their hajj fare.
“Going by the enlightenment today, time is running against us as we are also expected to step down the exercise for people to know that the dateline for payment is December ending, and for this reason there’s need for intending pilgrims to hasten payment for their 2024 Hajj fares.”
The Chief Imam who is also the Chairman, Coalition of Islamic Organizations in Kaduna State, said
they were ready now to go back and enlighten the people in their groups, congregations, and on the pulpits to ensure that the message has been delivered. He urged people to abide by the sensitization because of the time factor.
ANA Lead Coordinator for the sensitization exercise, Dr. Salisu Mohammed, said the group is supporting the Federal Government through NACHON for a successful performance of the 2024 Hajj. “In this context we understand that there are new regulations, and to avoid a fire brigade approach.
“So, based on this, we don’t want that to happen in Hajj. And for that reason we are calling on people to pay within the remaining sixteen days,” he said.
He said the group is also looking forward to the FG doing something to ameliorate the very high cost of performing hajj, which ANA believes something could be done in that regard.
He averred that the authorities concerned, when they listen to this, should be able to understand that it is possible to get it done, and it should be done.
Speaking on the day’s event, Dr. Mohammed said it is an enlightenment exercise with community, religious leaders, Ulamas, and leaders of thoughts in Kaduna state to enable them carry the message to their membership, through their networks, platforms and connections so that everyone receive the message.
According to the Lead Coordinator, Nigeria has an allocation of 95,000 pilgrims, noting that the country has never failed in the past and would not want this year’s to be a failure. “We think we should do everything to support everyone that is part of this hajj to ensure we have a very successful Hajj 2024,” he said.
Similarly, the Secretary General, Kaduna chapter of the Jama’tul Nasril Islam, Ibrahim Isa Kufena, opined that the exercise was very okay even where the month is almost running out and people are expected to pay before the dateline.
He hoped participants would after the meeting go out, work very hard to sensitize the people.
Speaking on the sideline, a member of ANA, Dr Abdul Ahmed Isiaq, said the meeting aimed to sensitize, and make presentations in collaboration with National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) because it is a season when aspiring pilgrims prepare to go for Hajj.
“As you are aware, hajj is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, so today is an enlightenment exercise which cut across the leadership of twenty Islamic associations and organizations in Kaduna state. The exercise is being carried out across the country,” he added.
Dr. Isiaq also said ANA intend to bring people on board to pay the Hajj fares. “We encourage people to start paying before the date line which is in the next two weeks, and we are happy to say that people have started responding.”
