The Federal Capital Territory Administration has stated its commitment to ensuring a hitch-free 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, gave the assurance at a one-day seminar for officials and intending pilgrims, at the Permanent Hajj Camp, Bassan Jiwa, in Abuja on Saturday.
Mahmoud, represented by her Chief of Staff, Dr Abdullahi Isah, said the administration remained proactive in ensuring that intending pilgrims complied with relevant policies in line with guidelines for the 2xercise.
According to her, the administration introduced the seminar to educate officials and intending pilgrims about the possible challenges of the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
This, according to her, is a testament to the seriousness of the administration towards recording more successes in the exercise.
Mahmoud said the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board had begun the implementation of strategies to actualise the success of this year’s Hajj while stating her conviction in the success of the exercise
“It is the conviction of the current administration that the pilgrimage to the holy land is a journey of a lifetime which every Muslim with all the means is enjoined to partake.
“The present administration remains committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the FCT contingent gets the best treatment compared to any other state of the federation or even the world in all ramifications.
“I am, therefore, convinced that with the commitment of the entire officials, coupled with the full-fledged conduct of our intending pilgrims both at home and in the holy land, this year’s Hajj operation, despite all possible challenges, would by the grace of Allah, be rated higher than the previous ones,” the minister said.
On his part, the Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abubakar Evuti, said the board had conducted two phases of education and orientation exercises, adding that the radio enlightenment programme would commence after fasting.
Evuti added that the board registered a low turnout of intending pilgrims for the 2024 exercise due to the high hajj fares, noting however, that the board would continue with its line of activities in accordance with the efforts of the FCT Administration.
This is coming days after the Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, rejected the increase in the fees for the 2024 Hajj by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
Ndume said the development was unfair and a deliberate plan to deny Nigerian Muslims the opportunity to participate in the exercise.