*Photo: Alhaji Hassan, NAHCON Chairman *
Chairman/CEO of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan has urged the Saudi Arabian company responsible for Hajj operations to supply the Commission with information and circulars early in order to ensure proper and successful planning for Nigerian pilgrims.
Alhaji Hassan made the call Tuesday night in Makkah,Saudi Arabia in the speech he delivered at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Hajj season organized by the Tawafa Company for pilgrims of African non-Arab countries.
Addressing officials of the company on behalf of NAHCON and other African pilgrims’ Affairs Offices of non-Arab countries, Alhaji Hassan said ” let me remind you all once again of an essential vehicle that has immense impact to Hajj preparations and arrangements for African pilgrims of non-Arab countries. Kindly recall our repeated requests and series of complaints to your good office for early supply of information and circulars on basic Hajj arrangements.”
The NAHCON Chairman stressed that ” Providing us with essential information will enable us to effectively put in place all required arrangements in good time and with relative ease.”
Noting that “It is obvious how lack of the timely essential information resulted in the delay and/or rather hasty and in some instances, difficulties experienced this year by some of our member countries”, he regretted that “Many times, we only get to read about vital information relating to our duties in the social media and other unofficial news channels.”
He therefore said that “As those saddled with responsibility of organising Hajj for our pilgrims, we appeal to you to make relevant information available to us first hand and with the urgency it merits as well, ” stating that “The issue of M.O.U signing which signifies commencement of preparatory activities for Hajj did not take chance physically this year and (we) appeal that this will not continue. We therefore, urge that you kindly bring this issue before your esteemed Council to accord it the seriousness it deserves.”
Read the full speech below:
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam!
On behalf of the entire African pilgrims’ Affairs Offices of non-Arab countries, I wish to congratulate all of us on the resounding success achieved in this year’s Hajj– 1443AH. I pray that Allah (SWT) accepts our pilgrimage as acts of Ibadah, may He forgive our sins and bless the sacrifices we collectively made towards success of this year’s Hajj. At the end, may He return us all safely to our respective countries. Ameen.
Ladies and gentlemen, We give gratitude and praises to Allah for the privilege of gathering here today to celebrate the successful conclusion of 2022 Hajj that witnessed the participation of both internal and international pilgrims for the first time in two years. We count ourselves lucky to be among the limited number of persons honoured to perform this great duty this year.
Moreso, we thank Allah (SWT) that despite the genuine concern over the possible spread of COVID-19 infection among pilgrims, He, in His Mighty grace, spared this wonderful congregation from the further spread of the pandemic. May The Merciful Lord continue to protect the land of the Two Holy Mosques and all Muslim Nations from the pandemic and other disasters. My fellow brothers and sisters, It is also appropriate that we express our great appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques: His Royal Highness, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Highness, the Crown Prince, Muhammad Bin Salma, for their dedication in serving Guests of Ar-Rahman well despite the complexities involved.
The government and the good people of the Kingdom passionately accommodated the vast number of Muslim worshippers that assembled here in the Kingdom with their cultural diversity and provided them adequate comfort in all the fields. This benevolent deed gave them the needed condition to devote themselves to the worship of the Almighty, for which they came from across the globe to this pure land. Kindly accept the most blessed commendation from all of us here present.
Ladies and gentlemen! I cannot conclude this speech without paying special recognition to this blessed company, the organizers of this great event. We are proud to identify with a company known for rendering good services to the pilgrims beyond monetary value.
Therefore, I use this opportunity to express our profound appreciation to the Management Council of the Company for doing a wonderful upgrade of facilities at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. We sincerely appreciate your commitment towards serving the pilgrims unconditionally, which eased their devotional activities. We the Officials of Pilgrims’ Offices of Africa non-Arab countries greatly acknowledge your efforts in serving the pilgrims and we ask Allah (SWT) to count them in manifolds among your good deeds. Your contributions were vital to the success of this year’s Hajj. We, Hajj Affairs Offices, assure you of our cooperation in achieving our overall common goal which is to ensure the best services to the pilgrims, the guests of Ar-Rahman.
As a matter of courtesy, let me remind you all once again of an essential vehicle that has immense impact to Hajj preparations and arrangements for African pilgrims of non-Arab countries. Kindly recall our repeated requests and series of complaints to your good office for early supply of information and circulars on basic Hajj arrangements.
Providing us with essential information will enable us to effectively put in place all required arrangements in good time and with relative ease. It is obvious how lack of the timely essential information resulted in the delay and/or rather hasty and in some instances, difficulties experienced this year by some of our member countries. Many times, we only get to read about vital information relating to our duties in the social media and other unofficial news channels.
As those saddled with responsibility of organising Hajj for our pilgrims, we appeal to you to make relevant information available to us first hand and with the urgency it merits as well. The issue of M.O.U signing which signifies commencement of preparatory activities for Hajj did not take chance physically this year and appeal that this will not continue. We therefore, urge that you kindly bring this issue before your esteemed Council to accord it the seriousness it deserves.
May Allah (SWT) bless your future endeavours and reward you on behalf of Islam and Muslims with the most generous reward in this world and the hereafter. Ameen. Was-Salam alaikum…
Zikrullah Kunle Hassan Chairman/CEO National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)
