Zamfara State’s Hajj Commission Chairman, Alhaji Musa Mallaha, has announced that each of the 1,718 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia has been given $100, adding that all arrangements are finalized for their airlifting to the Holy Land on May 30th.
The Chairman of the Commission while speaking through the Permanent Commissioner in charge of Enlightenment, Da’awa, and Hadaya, Alhaji Buhari Maijega, said pilgrims from the 14 local government areas have been informed to be ready for departure at any moment.
Maijega highlighted that, as part of the preparations, the state government, under Governor Dauda Lawal, supported each pilgrim with $100 to ensure their Basic Travelling Allowance meets the required $500.
He explained, “This year, intending pilgrims faced the problem of having less than the required BTA, so the Governor decided to support them to complete the needed allowance.”
Maijega went further that, “When compared with previous years, where a pilgrim would be provided with enough BTA of $700 up to $1,000 by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), this year looks different as they were provided with only $419, and the government considered it very low for the intending pilgrims, so decided to provide each of the 1,718 with $100.”
He elaborated that NAHCON initially announced a $500 BTA for Nigerian pilgrims at an exchange rate of N1,250 to the US dollar.
However, due to the exchange rate volatility, which rose to over N1,500 to the US dollar, the approved $500 BTA was reduced to $418 per pilgrim.
“The gesture by the state Governor was to relieve the pilgrims of the financial burden while enabling them to seamlessly participate in the spiritual experience,” Maijega said.
Maijega assured that all necessary arrangements for the pilgrims, both at home and in the Holy Land, have been made, and they have been educated on the rules and regulations set by the Hajj Commission.
“We have enlightened the pilgrims, especially on how to ensure they do not involve themselves in carrying suspicious drugs in their luggage to Saudi Arabia. They were also warned against criminals who appear honest but later cheat them while handling their BTA or exchanging currency for Saudi Riyals,” he added.
