The Lagos State Government has urged intending pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj to complete payment for the trip before May 2.
The Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr Saheed Onipede, made the appeal as contained in a statement issued by the state government on Thursday.
According to Onipede, the directive is based on the instruction from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria which requires all state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards to remit Hajj fares paid by intending pilgrims by April 21, 2023.
He said, “The 2023 Hajj operation is very much around the corner and in order for us to meet the timeline set by NAHCON for remittances, every intending pilgrim must play their parts. The affected intending pilgrims are those who initially paid N1,300,000.00 and N2,640,000.00 since 2019 till date and are yet to pay the balance, to meet up with the approved current Hajj fare of N3,200,000.00.”
While appealing to those affected to ensure that they pay up the Hajj fare on or before the deadline, he emphasised that failure to do so would jeopardise their chances of going on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia with the current batches.
He further stated that without remittance to NAHCON, the state might not be able to secure comfortable and decent accommodation, as well as other necessary amenities for better welfare of pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, Muna and Arafah.
The statement added that the board had fixed April 29 for the commencement of weekend lectures for all the intending pilgrims which would be held simultaneously in all the local government areas of the state and facilitated by the league of Ulamah (Islamic Scholars/Clerics) accredited by the board.
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