Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation has called on National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to take full charge of coordinating, regulating and monitoring Umrah (lesser hajj) pilgrimages in the country.
This was contained in a statement by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed and publicity secretary Abubakar Mahmoud.
“It is our opinion that NAHCON should extend its inspections, monitoring and regulation to Umrah pilgrimage in the same manner it applies it to hajj exercise. More so that the Act that established the commission clearly stated under the function of the commission that ‘the commission shall engaged in organising, coordinating the movement of person from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia to performing the Hajj or Umrah; and that the commission shall also providing accommodation, transportation and other services related to the performance of the Hajj and Umrah to the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia,'” the statement said.
It explained that “with many Nigerian Muslims travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah in this Holy month of Ramadan, Independent Hajj Reporters urges NAHCON to constitute a high level committee to monitor the activities of registered tour operators that offer Umrah services in order to ensure that they provide commensurate and efficient services to their pilgrims.”
It further urged NAHCON “to ensure that only legally registered Umrah service providers are allowed to participate in this year Umrah pilgrimages and urged pilgrims not to commence the registration procedures with the tour operators or travel agency except after making sure that it is licensed by NAHCON.”
The civil society advised pilgrims to ensure that the contract they sign with the tour agencies contains specifics such as the class, date of the flight, type of accommodation, the distance to the Holy Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah as well as the duration of their stay.
It urged Umrah pilgrims to comply with the rules and regulation of the company and the host country. “Pilgrims on their part should ensure that they follow the rules and regulation as obtain in kingdom of Saudi Arabia as advised by President Muhammadu Buhari. This will ensure a successful Umrah pilgrimages experience,” the statement said.