NAHCON commends Saudi Arabia over restoration of direct flight from Nigeria

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, rejoices with multitudes of Muslims all over the world, Nigeria in particular, for the normalisation of worship in the two Holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

The news of travel ban lifting into Saudi Arabia came via a circular released by General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA).In addition, a near total cancellation of COVID-19 restrictions were announced indicative of a return to regularity.

The only requirement for entry into the Kingdom is full vaccination with the accompanying registration on Tawakkalna and Eatmarna apps as gateway.

Accordingly, intending pilgrims for Umrah from Nigeria and other similarly banned countries are permitted to travel directly into Saudi Arabia so long as they fulfill the mandatory vaccines requirement.

Hassan, however, appreciates the fact that Saudi Arabia’ s decisions on matters of Hajj and Umrah have always been in the interest of the Muslim world and the generality of humanity, no matter how difficult they might seem.

While giving gratitude to the Almighty, the NAHCON Chairman, commended the custodian of the two Holy mosques, Khadimal Haramain, His Majesty, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, for this brave move to the Muslim Ummah despite the pandemic challenges.

Consequently, with the heightened hope that international hajj would be opened in 2022. “NAHCON is seizing this opportunity to inform the public that guidelines for participation in the Hajj shall be communicated to Nigerian intending pilgrims after signing of the MoU between NAHCON and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.” The NAHCON boss said.

Hassan also repeated his counsel to Nigerian intending pilgrims to be law abiding whenever they travel out of the country for Hajj or Umrah. Though Nigerian intending pilgrims’ response to COVID-19 vaccination was impressive, yet anyone wishing to embark on Hajj and Umrah is to remember that full vaccination is required as a safety precaution for himself and residents of Saudi Arabia as well as fellow Muslim travelers to the holy land for worship. They are, thus, reminded that unmet vaccine requirements may lead to quarantine and or other penalties.”

He also urged intending pilgrims to desist from travelling with prohibited items into the Kingdom such as illicit drugs and kolanuts.

“They should recall that the penalty for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia is death. Besides, NAHCON is in full collaboration with NDLEA and other interrelated agencies in ensuring that such persons are apprehended before embarking on the trip. He also called on intending pilgrims to see this opening as an opportunity to seek closeness to the Almighty by way of being of good conduct home and abroad.