By Ishola Balogun, Saudi Arabia
The Chairman/CEO National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan has charged the Saudi Authorities on Hajj Affairs known as Mutawifs to ensure quick supply of information and arrangements for the next Hajj in order to have a seamless exercise.
Alhaji Hassan stated this while speaking at the closing ceremony for 1443.A.H Hajj season organized by Company of Mutawifs for Pilgrims from Non-Arab Countries held at Bader Grand Hall, Makkah, Tuesday.
Present at the events were the leadership and representatives of Hajj missions in Africa non-Arab countries.
NAHCON chairman who spoke on behalf of all Hajj Missions in Africa stated that quick release of information would have immense impact on Hajj preparations and arrangements for African pilgrims of non-Arab countries.
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He said: “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.
He stated that the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU signing which signifies commencement of preparatory activities for Hajj did not take place physically this year and appealed that this should not continue. He urged the Mutawif to bring the issue before the Council in order to accord it the seriousness it deserves.
He expressed appreciation 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 the Guests of Ar-Rahman well despite the complexities involved.
“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.”
He also thanked the Management Council of the Company for the upgrade of facilities at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
Earlier, the chairman of the Board, Ahmed Sindi in his speech assured that all the arrangements put in place were not for commercial gains, adding the next hajj will be a departure from the present situation.
“You have seen that this hajj was an improvement of the last and we hope to make it better We can’t do it alone, we have to interact with you and seek your cooperation.
He also stated that the Ministry of Hajj has restructured most vital areas of Hajj services with a view to improving on them. “Our aim is to make the pilgrims happy. We will gather youths with good ideas and initiatives to serve pilgrims. We will reward any one of them that makes one pilgrims happy,” Sindi said.
Highlights of the ceremony were the rendition of poems by the body Hajj Advisor, Abdullah Alawii; a traditional folklore performance by Arab troupe as well as presentation of gifts to NAHCON and all participating African Non-Arab Countries.
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