HAJJ 2023: 600 PROSPECTIVE PILGRIMS REGISTER

By: Mohammed Lawal Aliyu

A total of 600 intending Pilgrims have so far registered with the FCT Pilgrims Welfare Board for the for the 2023 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia as preparation commences.

The 600 prospective pilgrims registered their interest to be part of FCT contingents in less than one month of the commencement of collection of deposits.

Accordingly, the collection of the deposits from the 600 intending pilgrims represent over forty percent of last year’s hajj seats allocation to the FCT by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

Commenting on the development, the Director, FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Muhammad Nasiru Danmallam, said the influx of prospective Pilgrims to this year’s Hajj through the Board was influenced by the outstanding services championed by the FCT in its previous operations.

He revealed that the intending Pilgrims have to deposit a minimum of Two Million Five Hundred Naira (N2, 500,000.00) only to book a seat for the exercise across the six Area Councils and the head office of the Board located at the Central Business District, Abuja.

Danmallam said the registration is strictly on first-come–first–served basis via a Bank draft in line with the principle of fairness.

The Director said, intending pilgrims, who wishes to participate in the exercise are expected to present a bank draft value of the said minimum deposit payable to the “FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abuja” to book for a seat for the 2023 hajj exercise pending the release of the actual hajj fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

He assured that the Board will redouble its efforts to enhance services delivery to the Pilgrims through the new strategies introduced for the forthcoming Hajj exercise in line with the desire of the FCT Administration.