The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has raised serious concern over the participation of intending pilgrims from Nigeria in this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and therefore, seeks immediate intervention of both Federal and state governments.
A statement signed by SCSN Secretary General, Nafi’u Baba-Ahmed, made available to Tribune Online in Abuja, expressed the Council’s worry that intended Nigerian pilgrims’ participation in the spiritual exercise this year was hanging in the balance.
The worry, according to Baba-Ahmed, stemmed from the state of preparations for the annual religious rite with Nigeria yet to make any serious preparations despite deadlines set by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
While stating that the current situation puts intending pilgrims in danger, the SCSN asserted that the pace of preparations is creating fear among Nigerians who have made payments yet are unsure of the possibilities that they have made the right payments, or if they will be able to perform this year’s Hajj.
According to the Council, its investigation revealed that there were deficits in preparations for the exercise so far, adding that there were fears that Saudi authorities’ deadlines might be breached.
This, it noted, may lead to the intending pilgrims, particularly first timers, being in danger of being denied or prevented from performing Hajj, which the Council described as “important obligation”.
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“The Council’s extensive consultations and investigations reveal disturbing deficits in the state of preparations of the Hajj. Deadlines set by the Saudi Arabian authorities are in danger of being breached with thousands of potential pilgrims who have made payments unsure of the possibilities that they have made the right payments, or if they will be able to perform the Hajj.
“As at today, it is most unlikely that even half of Nigeria’s allocated slots are most unlikely to be filled. And even more worrying, is that thousands who have paid some amounts, including those that paid the amounts stipulated within the time set by NAHCON and first timers are in danger of being denied or prevented from performing this important obligation,” the Council stated.
While stating that the Council is aware of efforts being made to address issues arising from forex, Baba-Ahmed called for more efforts from the Nigerian government with a view to removing bottlenecks likely to impede Nigerians from performing this year’s Hajj.
According to him, “The Council commends these efforts, it wishes to emphatically draw attention to the imperatives of more efforts by federal and state governments to remove all bottlenecks to the performance of the Hajj by as many Nigerians as possible.
“Needless to say, failure of Nigerian Muslims to perform this year’s Hajj, or even the loss of opportunities by thousands of people who have made efforts to pay, through no fault of theirs, will represent an intolerable affront.
“The Council, therefore, appeals to all elected persons and other influential Nigerians to contribute towards avoiding a serious setback to the reasonable expectations of thousands of potential pilgrims and Muslims that their country will assist them to perform their religious duties.”
