By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities, has lauded the process adopted by Kano State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in the payment of a refund to intending Hajj 2020 pilgrims from the state.

A statement by IHR National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, said the Boards involvement of security agencies, media and civil society organisations in the payment refund to Kano State Muslim Pilgrims who couldn’t travel to fulfil their religious aspirations due to the suspension of Hajj 2020 to international pilgrims by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is highly commendable.

The statement issued on Wednesday said that Kano State Muslim Pilgrims’ Board did not only involve other agencies in the refund process but also provided details of how much involved and to numbers of pilgrims thereof.

News Express reports that Kano Pilgrims Board on had on Thursday began making refund for 2020 hajj to intending pilgrims.

During the commencement of the payment of the refund, the Executive Secretary of the board, Muhammad Abba Dambatta, provided journalists with details and comprehensive information on the refund.

Dambatta said that about 359 out of 1,794 intending pilgrims requested for a refund; that the exercise covered 10 out of 44 local government areas of the state; and that the special refund committee comprises of representatives from the board, civil society, Police, DSS, Anti-corruption and media.

“Given the above, therefore, IHR commends the Executive Secretary of Kano State Muslim Pilgrim’s Welfare Board the Board, Abba Muhammad Dambatta for toeing the path of open policy in the course of hajj 2020 refund.

“The civil society further urges other State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to emulate and adopt the open and flexible model adopted by Kano State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in the refund process,” the statement added.

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