2024 Hajj The Nigerian government body supervising affairs of residents going for pilgrims annually in Saudi Arabia, the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), has released how much it will cost each intending pilgrim in Nigeria to perform the 2024 religious rite in Saudi Arabia.
Even though the Nigerian economy is currently unstable, with fluctuating exchange rates, NAHCON's Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara revealed on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024, that intending pilgrims from any of the seventeen states in the southern part of the country will pay N4,899,000 each, while pilgrims from the nineteen Northern states will pay N4,679,000 for the year 2024 Hajj.
Recall that Usara recently released a statement on how the commission's Chairman, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, has been able to negotiate with the authority of Saudi Arabia to cut the cost of 2024 Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims.
Usara, however, urged the intending Nigerian pilgrims to balance their Hajj fare by Monday, February 12 accordingly to enable the Commission to transfer the funds before the February 25 deadline given by the Saudi Arabia authority.
Usara recalled that Arabi had initially aimed to maintain the 2024 Hajj fare at N4.5 million which was charged as an initial deposit.
She said, “The prospects had remained high until the well-known Naira crash that occurred mid-week.
“Regrettably, the recent instability in the Dollar exchange rate compelled a necessary adjustment despite commendable efforts by NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Ahmad Arabi to maintain the cost of the year’s Hajj at the said rate.”
“However, the volatile currency situation within the week necessitated the Commission to take a drastic decision to consolidate the gains achieved in lowering the cost of services for the Hajj, without which the price of the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage might have shot to about N6,000,000 (six million Naira),”
Usara further stated "Unlike previous arrangements whereby visas were issued a few days before Arafat, the new policies entail that issuance of visas will close by April 29, giving the Saudi authorities more than 40 days ahead of Arafat Day.
"Issuance of visas for various participating countries commences on March 1.
2024 Hajj Pilgrimage will take place between the evening of Friday, 14 June, 2024 and Wednesday, 19 June, 2024 in Mecca.
Category: World-News
Tag: Nigeria Government Set Cost for 2024 Hajj Pilgrimage
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Published 2/3/2024 2:03:19 PM