By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has advised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to begin the registration of intending 2024 Hajj pilgrims immediately.

This is following the recent release of the 2024 calendar of events by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

IHR in a statement Saturday, July 8, 2023, by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, noted that the announcement of the 2024 calendar of events less than a week after the 2023 Hajj period has created a new Hajj operating system for Hajj-participating countries who are desirous of being part of next year’s Hajj.

“With this announcement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has indirectly rendered the usual one-year-at-time registration of pilgrims ineffective because the Ministry of Hajj has now made it operationally mandatory for countries to complete all arrangements for the next Hajj four months after the current Hajj.

“More importantly is the new policy of allotment of tents in Mina on ‘first to ready, first to get’ basis – thereby creating the need to fast-forward preparations for the 2024 Hajj”, the statement said.

The statement further advised NAHCON, states Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Hajj and Umrah Operators to immediately begin preparations for the services to provide the pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj.

“The yearly process of preparations for Hajj is anchored on providing memorable services during the 5-days of Hajj – being days when Hajj rites are performed. We must be prepared because the Hajj exercise will not get better by chance..

“The issuance of visa will start from Shaban 20, 1445AH, corresponding to March 1, 2024 – which is just eight (8) months away.

“The announcement that the Visas portal will be closed on Shawwal 20, 1445AH, corresponding to April 29, 2024, means that pilgrim’s registration and documentation must be concluded in 10 months in Nigeria.

“The first batch of 2024 Hajj pilgrims is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on the Dhul Qada 1, 1445AH, corresponding to May 9, 2024, – 10 months away,” the statement added.

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