Officials To Fight Corruption On Hajj

Holy Ka'aba

The Saudi Arabian government last week announced the increase in the quota of intending Nigerian pilgrims. 5 years ago, the Saudi government slashed the number of intending pilgrims in what it called a measure to boost safety during the expansion of the grand Masjid. While jubilant, the public relations officer of Media Awareness Initiative for Hajj (MAI-HAJJ) Kabiru Yusuf, urged the pilgrims board of the thirty-six states to show preference to first-timers and also to check the activities of those who try to obtain hajj seats ‘through the back door’. Kabiru also hinted that some people purchase the seats in bulk in-order to sell them at exorbitant rates to desperate Muslims. MAI-HAJJ has also urged the intending pilgrims to adhere to the rules stated  by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) among which is: intending pilgrims should have a guarantor; either the Chief Imam of area of residence, traditional ruler or a senior civil servant of not less than grade level 12. Women are also required to have a male guide to be registered.