Muslim media group commends NAHCON on reduction of hajj fares

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6 years ago

THE Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWGN) has commended the National Hajj Commision of Nigeria (NAHCON) for its transparency and accountability in running hajj affairs which led the reduction of 2019 hajj fares.

NAHCON, last weekend, announced a reduction in hajj fares following the downward review of the portal and land transportation routes by the Saudi authorities.

With the reduction, those who had earlier paid for this year’s hajj will be refunded with the sum of N51,174, while those that are yet to pay would have same amount removed from their fares for them to pay the reduced rates.

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The commission also extended the closing date for hajj payment by three weeks to enable intending pilgrims to complete their payments. Hence, the pilgrims have up to 15 July, 2019 to pay in full to participate in this year’s hajj.

The MMWGN, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said: “The reduction in hajj fares epitomises the commitment of the management of the commission to the welfare of the pilgrims, as such benefits for pilgrims could have been diverted to personal pockets if the management of the commission were not honest and transparent.

“We also commend the management under the leadership of Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad for using its initiatives to secure new corporate headquarters for the commission in Abuja from the internally generated revenue of the commission,” the group said.

This has depicted a very serious commitment to the service of the pilgrims and the nation,” the group said.

Meanwhile, as the world marked the International Day for the Widows last Sunday, MMWG called on all and sundry to be kind, humane and caring towards widows.

“In Islam, widows are counted among the weak in the society as their breadwinners have departed, sometimes unexpectedly. The society, therefore, has a responsibility to take good care of them.

“Members of the families of widows are hereby called-upon to, as a matter of religious duty, protect and defend the interests of widows in the society so that they could live good lives.

“The Holy Qur’an speaks on how well widows could be taken care of. Hence, worship is not complete if they are neglected.

“MMWG calls on religious bodies and humanitarian organisations to increase their support for them in order to make life easy them.”