COVID-19: Kano to refund 2,300 intending pilgrims for 2021 Hajj

The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board (KSPWB), said 2,300 intending pilgrims who deposited money for the 2021 Hajj pilgrimage will be refunded of their deposits.

Solacebase reports that the Government of Saudi on June 12, said no foreign pilgrims will be allowed to perform the Hajj once again this year after Saudi Arabia restricted the annual pilgrimage to citizens and residents.

The Government set a maximum of 60,000 pilgrims in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Muhammad Abba, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kano.

Read Also:NAHCON urges intending Umrah pilgrims to abide by Saudi’s regulations

Abba said 5,500 intending pilgrims registered for the 2021 Hajj in the state.

“Over 200 cheques are ready but the owners have not come for it, we are also processing more cheques,“he said.

Abba called on other intending pilgrims who want to collect their fare to write so that their cheques can be issued.

NAN reports that in 2020, only 1,000 pilgrims were allowed to perform the hajj because of COVID-19. (NAN)

Meanwhile in May, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed optimism that Nigeria would be given slots for the 2021 Hajj.

Mrs Fatima Usara, NAHCON Head of Public Affairs, stated this in a statement on Monday in Abuja while reacting to the announcement by Saudi Authorities that this year’s Hajj would hold.

Usara said,” the news from Saudi Arabia that 2021 Hajj will hold bears glad tidings for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and indeed the entire Muslim world.

“Although no mention was made on the admissibility of foreign pilgrims for the Hajj season in the brief piece of information released by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday, May 9, yet.

“The commission holds high optimism that the custodians of the two Haramain (Holy Mosques) will open their doors for international pilgrimage this year.”

Usara urged Nigerian intending pilgrims to continue to exercise patience while remaining prayerful for a positive outcome as NAHCON awaits further communication on specific measures and organisational plans for the 2021 Hajj.