Amidst the anxiety and uncertainty over whether the 2020 Hajj will hold or not the Chairman CEO of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has declared that the commission will give a categorical statement at the end of Ramadan.
The Chairman who was featuring on the network of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) HAJJ: A Spiritual Journey”, on Friday, said that while it was impossible for the commission to make a definitive statement on whether or not the pilgrimage would take place this year, he expressed optimism that as soon as the coast is cleared from the Saudi end, the Commission will immediately announce its own decision.
” I can be able to give you a definite answer after the Ramadan which is in two weeks time when the Saudi Arabia authorities would have agreed on whether it would hold and if it would hold. Of course talk is ongoing. The modalities and everything about 2020 Hajj. I will tell Nigerians. ”
Alhaji Hassan expressed optimism that opening of the two Holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah could be a pointer to the hope that Hajj 2020 may take place” With the event of the last few days of opening of the Holy mosques to worshipers, that gives us a ray of hope & glad tidings that Hajj could take place this year.
According to him the Commission is not in a position to declare whether pilgrimage will hold. “We depend on other variables. For instance even the Nigeria Airspace is closed for the next 4 weeks, which is also applicable in Saudi Arabia. Even if we want to fly now there’s no way we can do that unless the Airspace is opened”
He however added that notwithstanding the decision of Saudi Authorities the commission would not compromise the health & well-being of Nigerian pilgrims “We will not endanger life of any of our citizen. We will take whatever decision in good faith. We won’t be reckless about trying to perform Hajj by all means possible”
Answering a question by a caller on the program, Alhaji Hassan stated that with Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission has embarked on extensive collaborative efforts with FMH on Pilgrims Sensitization…
Very interesting