Legacies of Hajj operation and peculiar conundrum, BY Ibrahim Muhammed

Recently, Manara satellite television organized a one day national symposium titled “Legacy of Hajj Operations and the Nigerian question”. The event was held inside Ladi Kwali Hall at Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Abuja. The theme of the event was actually to x-ray the progress made in hajj operations (if any) and compare it with the peculiar Nigeria questions on hajj development issues.
The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON Barr Abduallhi Mukhtar MON, delivered the key note address where he delved into historical developments in hajj and relates it to the current position of hajj administration in Nigeria. According to him the increased in the number of pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj brought about its own peculiar challenges“ “The establishment of the West African Pilgrims Association (WAPA) and the Pilgrims Aid Society during the last decade of colonial rule, popularized and increased the number of pilgrims embarking the Hajj from Nigeria because of quicker means of transportation. The number of pilgrims increased from less than a hundred in 1936 to 2,483 in 1956 and 106,000 by 1977. With this increase came the need for Government to get involved because managing such numbers went beyond basic welfare to include diplomatic and security concerns.”
Speaking further, the NAHCON boss noted that” the story of Hajj for many years after was that of poor coordination, gross inefficiency and wastage of resources irrespective of the quality and integrity of persons leading the Hajj Management bodies. For example, Nigeria had to continuously seek for an extension of airport closure deadlines for three consecutive years namely; 2004, 2005 and 2006 but was still unable to airlift its pilgrims. In 2005, President Obasanjo had to request the King of Morocco to intercede and extend the closure of Jeddah Airport by 48 hours, yet about fifteen thousand (15,000) pilgrims were left behind. Also, Government was forced to pay over two billion naira in fines incurred by Hajj carriers or due to its violation of contract agreements and many other financial losses caused by poor arrangements. This was in addition to the full dependence on Federal Government for funding of Hajj and not to mention the haphazard manner in which Hajj activities were coordinated in Saudi Arabia with Federal and State contingents operating independent of each other, duplicating duties and at times working at cross-purposes. This situation caused President Olusegun Obasanjo to initiate a reform that will solve Hajj problems once and for all by establishing a body independent of the bureaucratic bottle-necks and other interferences of any Government Ministry. After the 2005 Hajj exercise, Stakeholders on Hajj were invited from all over the country and from various fields. The outcome of the effort was the birth of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria via NAHCON (Establishment Act)”.
The establishment of NAHCON as he noted greatly improve hajj exercise though not without its challenges and pains “With the establishment of a permanent and independent body in 2007, the course of Hajj operations in Nigeria changed direction for the better. To quote the Chairman of the Saudi United Agents Office, Dr. Farouq Bukhari, the Head of the United Agents Office; He said
“.. In the last five years, Nigeria has come from being one of the worst to one of the best Hajj Missions in the world”. This is in addition to the award of excellence to the Nigerian Medical Team by the Saudi Ministry of Health in 2017. I have mentioned some of these highlights, at the risk of sounding academic, to place the theme of this symposium in context. I am sure we have in our midst, scholars more eminently qualified to speak on Hajj than myself. Now to highlight on the legacies of Hajj Operations in Nigeria Legacies of Hajj. 1. Forging Socio-Economic ties The first legacy is therefore the establishment of economic and social ties. Hajj has facilitated commerce along all its routes, resulted in inter-ethnic marriages and the establishment of notable Nigerian families in Saudi Arabia. 2. Unity of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah Through Hajj, the Nigerian Muslim Ummah are always united irrespective of ideological differences. The National Ulama Team has covered much ground in this regard. All the Ulama gather on Arafat day to pray for Nigeria irrespective of sect or language.
“Unity of Nigeria in Saudi Arabia Before the Establishment of NAHCON, Nigeria operated in Saudi Arabia with many states having banners and stands and in Jeddah airport. The formation of a National Reception Team and later a National Medical Team has unified the Nigerian contingent to the Hajj in recent years. 4. The strength of Organization and Numbers The numerical advantage of Nigeria (the 7th largest contingent in 2017 Hajj) along with its improved efficiency in organizing Hajj has made it the toast of many service providers in Saudi Arabia. In addition to services rendered to pilgrims, some companies, upon the invitation of NAHCON are considering making investments in the hospitality, transportation and agricultural sectors in Nigeria. 5. Spread of Islam without Bloodshed People embarking on the Hajj by road had cause to pass through many settlements and caused the conversion to Islam of such settlements by peaceful means. Similarly, knowledge was being spread along the routes as some learned scholars settled in some cities to spread knowledge on their way to Hajj. From the point of view of the Commission, its greatest achievement is that of stabilizing Hajj operations in Nigeria. Gone are the days when Nigeria sought for extension of deadlines for airport closure. The usual rowdiness associated with pilgrims’ airlift both in Nigerian and Saudi Arabian airports has been virtually eliminated. Pilgrims now travel in a more organized manner with more comfort compared to what obtained before the establishment of NAHCON”.
“The abscondment rate of pilgrims has been reduced to the barest minimum that the Saudi Minister of Hajj, Dr. Muhammad Saleh Benten advised other countries to adopt Nigeria’s methods of reducing abscondment cases to the barest minimum. In terms of finance, NAHCON has moved from being a burden on Government and gradually attaining financial independence in line with the vision of its founding fathers. The Commission now funds its entire onshore operations without requiring a kobo from Government. It has also depended less on Government for its offshore operations, from 69% dependence in 2014 to 23% in 2017.
However, the Key note address delivered by NAHCON Chairman as highlighted above to me failed to capture the ‘Nigerian Questions’ part in the theme of the event. Yes, he listed remarkable achievements some that has harmonized the operations and raised the standard of hajj operations. That is the legacies of hajj operations.
However, the NAHCON Chairman could have use that podium to tell us why he is being bashed left right and centre despite the obvious unprecedented achievement recorded under his leadership in hajj administration In Nigeria. The Only ‘Hajj MON man’ around has missed an opportunity to enlighten us why he is being praised by the custodian of hajj administrations in Saudi Arabia and being castigated by those outside hajj operating cycle wiThequal vehemence in Nigeria. And he should have tell us why did a non generating revenue agency dealing with hajj prudently manage its funds and purchase a gigantic office complex worth N2.4 billion naira rather than toeing the “Nigerian answer” by sharing the money with the “interested parties”
The greatest threat to hajj exercise in Nigeria today is the flying false information and wrong awareness. The deliberates distortion of what, who why and how in hajj exercises. This has wane the confidence of pilgrims in the system and further take shines off the prestigious position currently occupied by Nigeria in hajj administration in the world. He could have attempted to gives us a glimpse of the embedded politics in hajj that is now threatening its soul.
To properly solve this challenge, NAHCON and other hajj stakeholders like Manara stateside TV needs to clear the difference in Hajj operations of today, yesterday, and yester years. Engaged in proactive media campaign that will highlight the possible positions, advantaged and uneasiness of hajj policies especially as it affects pilgrims’ welfare. If NAHCON, States pilgrims’ board and other hajj stakeholders failed to utilize its media architecture to proactively inform the public the gains and pains of its activities, yours sincerely will not be the one to do it for them.
Christian terrorists distribute ‘Punish a Muslim day’ letter in UK
Palpable fear has enveloped Muslims in Uk as some Christians groups distributed letters to Muslims homes across UK titled “ Punish a Muslim Day” apparently calling for them to be killed and mosques to burnt down in a day of hate, as reported by UK daily The Mirror reported
Images of the A4 notes, which contain a list of violent acts alongside a number of points for performing them, have been widely shared online. The leaflet carries a message where people are encouraged to torture Muslims, carry out acid attacks and set fire to mosques. The letter promised “rewards” to people who carry out the instructions, which range from verbal abuse, pulling off hijabs and even murder.
“Pulling a Muslim women’s hijab is worth 25 points, an acid attack earns 50 points and burning or bombing a mosque will see the attacker collect 1,000 points,” the letter read.
However UK police forces have begun investigating the posts, which were scattered across the Midlands, West Yorkshire, and London. “The MPS does not tolerate any form of hate crime. If anyone believes they have been a victim of such an offense we would encourage them to report it to police so it can be fully investigated,” said a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police.
Furthermore, Tell Mama UK, which monitors anti-Muslim activity, said it had received reports of people in Bradford, Leicester, London, Cardiff and Sheffield getting the letters.
She said a number of the letters had been posted from Sheffield and bore a similarity to letters sent to mosques in the UK and US in May 2017, which were also posted from Sheffield.”They are inciting violence against the Muslim community,” she said.Labour MP Naz Shah said several of her constituents in Bradford had received the “hate mail” through their doors.Ms Shah said the letters were an attempt to instil fear but one that would ultimately fail.
“We stand shoulder by shoulder, and stand side by side, because nothing will divide us,” she said.
“This is hatred and it just doesn’t work. You know, it’s what we do.”
She said she had spoken to police, and had been told detectives believed they were dealing with a “linked series of offences”.

Additional reports from Uk Miiror

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