A renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Tijjani Bala Kalarawi, has lamented the astronomical rise in Hajj rate, calling on the federal government to reduce the rate in order to make it affordable for commoners among the ummah.

According to him, “This year’s pilgrimage was of the most costliest in recent times going by the rate in which hard currencies were bought which was beyond human decency”.

This was contained in a statement signed by the acting chairman of Kano State Media Team for 2023 Hajj, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim, with a copy made available on Friday to newsmen in Kano.

Sheikh Kalarawi, who was speaking in an interview on Thursday with journalists at the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, said that the cost of the spiritual exercise via State Pilgrims Welfare Board this year stood at N2.9 million while through private airline operators was N4 million.

He disclosed that the charges entailed flight, accommodation, logistics and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), lamenting that the increasing cost of the exercise, has by and large made it financially impractical for many faithful to do so.

He however recalled the frantic efforts of the previous administrations in minimising the rate within the reach of the commoners which gave the wider majority the opportunity to fulfill one of the pillars of the holy religion devoid of hitches.

According to him, Hajj was N1,500 during the regime of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Maj. Gen. Muhammad Buhari (N4,000) and Gen. Sani Abacha (N50,000).

He added that late Muhammad Adamu Dankabo through his Airline, Kabo Air, out of his gesture, used to give pilgrims 100kg main luggage and 20kg hand luggage upon their return from Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Kalarawi however asked pilgrims to pray for divine intervention on the increasing cost of the rate aimed at ensuring kindness, equality, loveliness, tranquility and above all justice and fairness.

The Sheikh, who served as Chairman of the state pilgrims outfit during the reign of late Air Commodore Hamza Abdullahi and Architect Kabiru Gaya, recalled how they introduced special classes for intenders (Bita) to make them abreast with basic rudiments of the religious exercise.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Yusuf Lawan, has pledged to present the demand of reviewing the fares before Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for onward submission to President Bola Ahmad Tinubu.

Lawan, who stressed that Hajj as one of the five pillars of Islam, has immense spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, called on those that have the means in the midst of the society not to be left out in fulfilling the obligation in view of its lofty reward.

The Chairman, who attributed the high cost of observing the rite to depreciating value of Naira, expressed delight with the arrangement made by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria with Saudi Authorities to make the transaction in Dollars without difficulties.

He expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu will consider the request and review the rate as a responsible and concerned leader.

In a related development, the Kano state Pilgrims Welfare Board has so far airlifted 4,112 pilgrims back home in 8 flights.

The ninth flight with Kano contingents is expected to leave King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah to Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday. (Saturday Tribune)

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