By Salim Yunusa
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has informed state pilgrim boards to continue with the registration and preparation of intended pilgrims for the 2021 Hajj and Umrah exercises.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunke Hassan, that came out after the Saudi authority had announced resumption of international flights; giving hope for the possibility of intending pilgrims to embark on Hajj and Umrah this year.
“In the meantime, the commission urges intending pilgrims, states and other Hajj and Umrah licensed operators to continue with preparations and registration while exercising patience until clear directives are released by Saudi Arabia,” Zikrullah said in the statement.
Last year, Saudi Arabia suspended all international flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 1,000 pilgrims were allowed to perform 2020 Hajj, a radical reduction from over two million that usually undertake the annual Islamic ritual.
