The Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has raised an alarm that many intending pilgrims who had initially deposited their Hajj fare have started asking for their deposits back, following the jerking up of the 2024 Hajj fare by N1.9million.
Recall that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, had initially fixed N4.9million as official fare for the 2024 pilgrimage, but jerked the amount by N1.9million due to forex volatilities.
The decision threw about 50,000 intending pilgrims who had paid the initial fare off balance.
But while issuing a statement on Tuesday, the IHR National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, said findings by its members across the country and discussions held with some state Hajj officials indicated that quite a number of pilgrims have started asking for their deposits back.
“Our findings show that while some are asking for their deposits out of anger, others are saying they cannot raise the balance of N1.9 million within four days,” IHR said.
“Our findings also revealed that some pilgrims are contemplating exploring legal options insisting that the Federal Government through the NAHCON had announced a final hajj fare of N4, 699 which they have paid in full within the stipulated time.
“They argued that their receipt bears “complete payment for 2024 hajj’ and therefore vow to ensure that they are taken to Saudi Arabia to perform 2024 Hajj.”
The CSO, however, advised the intending pilgrims not to rush into taking decisions out of anger and always give a chance for positive outcome.
“Already, IHR and other like-minded groups across the country have been calling for the intervention of President Tinubu and the President is known for listening to the yearnings of citizens
“What if you chose to collect your deposits and then the government intervenes afterwards, we urge you to please hold on and see how everything ends.
“Keep the faith and keep praying, for if Allah calls, one must answer,” IHR added.
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