The acting Chairman/CEO of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, OON, FWC has solicited the cooperation of the Executive Secretaries and Chairmen of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to ensure a hitch-free 2024 Hajj operation.

Mal. Arabi made the call during a meeting with the states officials including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja held at the Hajj House.
He extended a hand of friendship and fellowship to the Chairmen with a view to achieving a sound result. Mal. Arabi said he would not draw a line between NAHCON and the states pilgrims’ boards, saying “we are one and meant to serve one purpose but perhaps representing different spaces and environment.

“But after all said and done, the unity, cooperation and collaboration between us are what will make the Muslim community heave a sigh of relief.

“The Muslim community will say yes there is an entity that is saddled with the responsibility to fulfil one of the pillars of Islam that is well-placed and solidly on ground to do that.“I call on all of us to cooperate. We can only achieve success if we work as a team, as partners rather than working in silos, thinking that while I’m from the state, you are NAHCON at the centre.”

He also emphasised the need for all the chairmen to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration translates into action.

He noted that the purpose of their appointment was to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims are served well. On his part, the Chairman of the Forum of Chairmen of state pilgrims boards, Idris Al-Makura, expressed readiness of the forum to support the NAHCON boss conduct a successful 2024 hajj operation. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has allocated 95,000 hajj slots to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, similar engagement with the members of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) was held yesterday at the same Hajj House in Abuja.