By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has disclosed that the third phase of education and orientation exercise for intending pilgrims will take place between Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29.
Director of the Board, Malam Kadiri Edah, in an exclusive media chat in his office, described the programme as ‘crucial to intending pilgrims, which intends to impart essential knowledge on how to perform an acceptable Hajj in an acceptable Islamic manner ‘.
According to him, “The two- day programme will commence by 8am daily at the Board’s Permanent Hajj Transit Camp, Bassan Jiwa, near the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
“Intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj are urged to attend the programme, as important educational and informative lessons, and instructions on new Hajj policies, programmes and activities would be discussed.
Malam Kadiri also noted that Saudi`s directives on hajj, the rules and regulations of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on immigration and customs services, drug administration and associated danger for trafficking, the need for personal hygiene and safety, amongst others, would also be discussed for the benefit of the intending pilgrims.
He noted that the Board has put the necessary measures on ground to make sure that the programme and subsequent activities of the Board are a huge success.
Kadiri reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to improved pilgrims welfare, better accommodation, prompt and timely airlift of intending pilgrims and other logistical preparations for this year’s exercise and beyond.
It would be recalled that the Board, in the past, had conducted two series of education and orientation programmes, compulsory medical screening of intending pilgrims, physical and mental health status, receipt of intending pilgrims visas and other travel documents, amongst others, as part of its early preparation for a successful and hitch-free exercise, in accordance with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, and Saudi Arabia`s policy on 2026 hajj.
