NAHCON chairman clears the air on 2020 hajj

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, has disclosed the possibility of 2020 how still taking place.

The chairman revealed this in an interview in his office in Hajj House, Abuja at the weekend.

Alhaji Hassan expressed optimism that indicators emanating from the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia projects that the kingdom will hopefully witness a decline of COVID19 infection in the country from April 21 and possible eradication of the ailment by May.

“This therefore, gives the commission hope that there is a tendency of the hajj taking place if the Almighty wills it to take place. This explains why NAHCON has not stopped preparations towards the 2020 hajj,” he said.

The chairman informed that he and senior management staff have been reporting to the office and deliberating on every development as a result of the pandemic.

Alhaji Hassan encouraged intending pilgrims not to feel reluctant in making hajj fare deposits as a situation may arise where the number of pilgrims may be reduced as a strategy towards managing the COVID19 pandemic.

“Should this happen, slots will be offered to intending pilgrims on first come, first serve formula” and encouraged Muslims intending to participate in the 2020 pilgrimage to pray and imbibe all the necessary physical, mental and spiritual readiness towards making the hajj.

The NAHCON boss further explained that despite the optimism, the commission has also made plans pending failure of the hajj holding.

Fortunately, he declared further that all arrangements entered with Saudi Arabian service providers are legally backed, hence the commission does not anticipate any monetary losses.

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“Though a five per cent commitment has been made from the commission’s purse prior to Saudi Arabia’s directive to keep hajj preparations on hold, however, this does not affect intending pilgrims nor their funds,” the commission’s boss stated.

He assured that pilgrims who made deposits will be fully repaid if hajj 2020 is cancelled and if such depositors request for a refund.

“They may also choose to keep their deposits lodged with the commission until the following year’s hajj. Whichever option the intending pilgrims choose, the commission is fully prepared,” he added.