Review Hajj Fares – Reps Appeal To FG

Given the economic situation of the country, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to review the amount to be paid by prospective pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj.

This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by a member from Kaduna State, Umar Shehu-Ajilo, at plenary in Abuja.

Shehu-Ajilo in his presentation argued that Hajj remains an important pillar of Islam that entails visits to the Holy Mosques and other historical sites in Saudi Arabia.

The lawmaker, however, expressed concern at the N5 million fixed for the 2024 Hajj, saying it was very expensive for many prospective pilgrims who are in the middle and low-income categories.

He said: “Given the prevailing economic reality, it has become necessary to review the processes and procedures adopted by the National Hajj Commission to arrive at this year’s fare to make it affordable for some class of Nigerians seeking to embark on this religious trip.”

In its resolution, the House urged the Federal Government to subsidize the 2024 Hajj fare to enable average and lower-income earners to participate in the religious ritual.

The parliament also mandated its Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage to engage the National Hajj Commission on the matter.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji