The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria has commenced a sensitisation programme for its licensed members on the new policy of the Saudi Arabian authorities for Hajj 2024.
The National President of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, Yahya Nasidi Suleiman, announced the information during the pre-Hajj seminar and conference 2024 for the Lagos Zone in Lagos.
According to him, the sensitisation exercise will be conducted across the three zones in Nigeria — Lagos zone comprising the South-West States and Kwara State; Kano and Abuja zones.
The policy is meant to prevent delay and encourage early registration, enhance transparency and foster harmonious working relationships among members.
Suleiman said, “We have decided to go around the three zones to sensitise our members on Hajj 2024, which is going to come different from what we used to have with so many changes in Saudi Arabia and timing. This thing has to do with money.
“Hajj is a huge multi-billion naira industry, which other people don’t seem to understand. And it is just good to tell our members that things have changed. We are always late in payment, and it is one of the reasons why some people encounter challenges year in year out.”
He said the new policy by Saudi authorities is that prospective pilgrims must pay for their pilgrimage by January 2024.
He added, “The Saudi authorities want us to know and understand that all payments must be made. That’s why we call for this conference in Lagos. We are going to go to Kano and Abuja for the same sensitisation.”
Presenting a paper titled ‘Hajj 2024: New Challenges, Boundless Opportunities,’ the keynote speaker, Ustaz Siddeeq said recent meeting between representatives of tour operators and the Saudi Arabia authorities have shown that they have a responsibility to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims.
Siddeeq, who commended the leadership of NAHCON regarding preparations for Hajj 2024, admonished the commission to always consult with members of the association for a continued harmonious relationship.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, AHUON, Abdulfattah Abdulmajeed, said the pre-hajj sensitisation exercise was necessary to avoid disappointment and encourage early payment based on instructions handed down to them.
He said, “Before now, there wasn’t a deadline for a visa, but the Saudi Arabian authorities have already given a deadline for 2024 Hajj visa. This presupposes that whoever doesn’t get his visa by April 29, 2024, is not a candidate for Hajj 2024.
“The portal will open and close on March 1, 2024, and April 29, 2024, respectively. This is contrary to what we used to have in the past. The Saudi authorities also came up with another policy that out of 265 licensed operators last year, they should be reduced to 10.”
