The Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Board has revealed that more than 100 intending pilgrims from the state are at risk of missing out on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Alhaji AbdulSalam Abdulkadir, the executive secretary of the agency, disclosed this alarming situation during a sensitization program aimed at preparing the intending pilgrims for the pilgrimage.
Abdulkadir emphasized the financial hurdle faced by these individuals, stating, “95 per cent of the intending pilgrims this year are first-timers. However, we have over 100 outstanding pilgrims who could not make the additional payment of N1.9 million.” These sentiments were reported by The Informant247.
The predicament stems from the recent directive by Nigeria’s Hajj Commission, which raised the Hajj fare by an additional N1.9 million, sparking dissatisfaction among Nigerian Muslim pilgrims. This dissatisfaction manifested in demands for refunds from individuals who had initially paid for their trip to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj.
The Hajj Commission’s decision to hike the fare came amidst financial adjustments, setting a deadline of March 28, 2024. Notably, in December 2023, the commission had initially fixed a fare of N4.9 million per pilgrim based on an exchange rate of N897 to a dollar.
This unfolding situation underscores the financial strains faced by intending pilgrims and the urgency for solutions as the deadline for compliance with the new fare draws nearer.
