The Sultan of Sokoto and the National Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has commended the Federal Government for its continuous support and commitment to the successful execution of the annual hajj exercise.
The sultan, who stated this at National Hajj commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON) stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja yesterday, said the meeting was intended to engender collaboration, cooperation and dialogue amongst all the relevant stakeholders to facilitate the successful conduct of the 2011 Hajj operation.
Reiterating his appreciation to government, the sultan assured the government that NAHCON would meet the expectation of the federal government by ensuring that pilgrims get value for their money, as well as achieve a hitch-free hajj.
He further thanked the government on behalf of the Muslim Ummah for fixing the exchange rate on all hajj-related matters at N135-$1.
The amirul hajj added that NAHCON was grateful for government’s magnanimity in granting waiver on aviation activities that relate to hajj operations.
Presenting his speech, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, charged the stakeholders at the meeting to reciprocate the gesture of the government by adhering to all the rules and regulations put in place by the federal government and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a view to achieving a successful conduct of the holy trip.
Meanwhile, the Sultan has cautioned the ‘ulamas’ who are in the habit of preaching on political issues during hajj operations to desist from such act in the interest of peace and Islam. ?
The amirul hajj,? who made this known in National Mosque, Abuja, yesterday, said in order to improve on the activities of? hajj, NAHCON, with the approval of the federal government, had for the ‘hajj.
The ulamas, according to him, will go to the holy land to educate the pilgrims on spiritual issues, and to preach peace and what Islam entails at various points in Saudi Arabia.
Abubakar called on all stakeholders to concentrate and dedicate more time in educating their intending pilgrims in order to achieve some level of sanity in Saudi Arabia. He also sought the cooperation of the airlines, saying there cannot be a successful hajj without the airlines being efficient.
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