Religion

2024 Hajj: Final Flight from Abuja Departs

By Web News 365

By Hamza Alkali

The final flight for the 2024 Hajj outbound operations has departed from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory to Madinah. 

The airlift combines about 211 remaining pilgrims from Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, FCT and Niger states. 

Similarly included in the flight is the last batch of officials for the 2024 Hajj.

The chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi in a press briefing explained that this flight marks the end of the year’s Hajj outbound airlift to Makkah for state quota pilgrims.

He said the airlift of private tour operators pilgrims would also end today 10th 06, 2024, by 2PM in the afternoon.

All other private tour operators are expected to conclude conveyance of their pilgrims before closure of Jeddah and Madinah airports for all inbound Hajj airlift operations.

The NAHCON chairman said announced that the return journey for the 2024 Hajj is slated to commence on the 22nd of June 2024 based on first-in-first-out basis.

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Religion

Coronavirus: NAHCON Announces Refund of Umrah Visa Fees

By Web News 861

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently released a circular informing the general public of its resolve to refund Umrah visa fees and other service charges.

This is sequel to suspension of lesser Hajj activities by the Kingdom’s authorities as a measure towards halting the spread of COVID-19 infection.

The circular indicated that an electronic method for refunding Umrah visa applicants through their local agents has been prepared for processing of the payments.

Therefore it urges those with legitimate claims to contact their travel agents for retrieval of their dues.

In view of the above, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON urges those who have paid for the Umrah through Licensed Tour Operators to keep in touch with their operators for collection of their monies when released by the Kingdom.

The Commission further urges those who subsequently encounter problems collecting their refunds to lodge complaints with the Commission through post to NAHCON’s Commissioner Operations through Head, Inspectorate and Compliance, Zakariya Maimalari Street, Hajj House, Abuja or by physical appearance at the Hajj House, NAHCON headquarters.

All claims must be accompanied with valid documents and evidence of transaction with the registered operator. 

It would be recalled that the Commission has always cautioned Umrah hopefuls to transact directly with only tour operators dully registered with the Commission in case of breach of contract or similar situations that may warrant recovery of funds.

Similarly, the Commission encourages intending pilgrims whether for Umrah or Hajj under private arrangements to sign agreements on the types of package they are paying for.

This package should indicate the category of services being paid for and other terms and conditions of engagement.  

NAHCON is a regulator committed to protecting the rights of its stakeholders, whether the customer or the service providers/operators. 

For enquiries, please contact the phone lines given below:

Inspectorate and Compliance, NAHCON: 08033826429

Visa and Consular Section, NAHCON: 07033701605

Fatima Sanda Usara,

Head, Public Affairs,

NAHCON For Chairman/CEO

Religion

Pilgrims: NAHCON Commends Saudi Authorities

By Web News 722

The Saudi authorities have been commended over their special consideration and concessions to ease this year’s Hajj exercise for Nigerian Pilgrims.

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad made the commendation in his opening remarks at the Pre-Arafat stakeholders meeting in Makkah.

He outlined some of the considerations and concessions to include the facilities provided for the pilgrims in Muna, Arafat and Muzdalifah, and the latitude for continued payment of this year’s Hajj fares up to some few days to the commencement of the exercise.

Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar, also thanked the Nigerian Embassy, and the consulate for their untiring cooperation and support towards a successful Hajj exercise.

The chairman called on all stakeholders for more support and cooperation to ensure that this year’s exercise was diligently executed to the satisfaction of all.

He advised the Ulamaa to guard against scholarly arguments that may be confusing to the ordinary pilgrim who requires to be educated only on the basics of the Hajj rites.

Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar also called on private Tour Operators to live up to expectation in diligently giving their pilgrims value for their money, warning that any dereliction of responsibility would be met with the full wrath of the stipulated sanctions.

Nafiu Busari