Forex volatility, threat to 2024 hajj, Shari’ah council cries out

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has expressed concern over the present exchange rate of naira to dollar and the potential threat of the situation to Nigeria’s participation in this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a statement by its Secretary General, Alhaji Nafi’u Baba Ahmad, the Council said it was disturbing that the fate of registered pilgrims from Nigeria was not certain due to the exchange rate crisis.  

The statement added: “Though we commend the efforts being made by authorities concerned in addressing the challenges dragging Nigeria behind in preparation for the annual event, it is advised that more needs to be swiftly and decisively done to remove the cog in the wheels of a seamless exercise that would ensure Nigeria’s full participation in the annual religious rites.

“The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, therefore, calls on elected politicians and all stakeholders to urgently look into the best possible ways to ensure that prospective intending pilgrims that have fully paid for the initially announced fares are not left out of this year’s Hajj exercise.”

The Guardian gathered that the Federal Government has not finalised issues around the official rate of forex that would be considered for 2024 hajj. 

The development is reportedly unsettling the arrangements by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for a smooth conveyance of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.