By FATIMA SANDA USARA

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) was hosted to an end of Hajj dinner by Ithraa Al Khair Company of Mutawwifs, also known as Mu’assasa.

The event took place at the Crowne Plaza in Jeddah, Friday, June 28, 2024.

In attendance were Executive Secretaries and Chairmen of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions, Private Tour Operators, and other guests.

The event highlighted the successes and innovations brought up in this year’s pilgrimage.

The Commission leveraged on the gathering to review the Hajj season, taking note of the important stakeholders in the guests profile.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, pronounced the 2024 Hajj as a successful accomplishment.

He said, evidently, that the Hajj was a success remains the majority opinion, even if we respect minority opinion.

In the Chairman’s words “Where there was substantial progress, we congratulate ourselves. If it was not uniform, we learn from it and leap further”. Malam Arabi stated further that, “Mina was a fantastic attempt, in some places, it was excellent”.

He confirmed that there were excess camp spaces but inability to channel the complaints through the right channels prevented full utilization. Acknowledging areas for potential improvement, the NAHCON Chairman reminded guests that Hajj is not a “we” versus “you” project, it is the collective positive efforts of all groups that lead to desired outcomes.

He advised stakeholders to put heads together proffering solutions to noticeable challenges. The helmsman of Nigerian Hajj industry noted that bickering and accusations are time consuming systems that may prove costly in a time sensitive assignment such as Hajj.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Mu’assasa group, Ithraa Al Khair, Dr. Ahmad Sindhi, described 2024 Hajj as the most successful in recent years. He attributed this achievement to the collective efforts and dedication of all involved, acknowledging the commitments made by his company and Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi of NAHCON.

“We made promises and challenged ourselves,” remarked Dr. Sindhi, “as a result of the dialogues, I have honor and satisfaction to stand before you, having dispensed our best effort to deliver on every bit of these promises.”

Dr Sindhi disclosed that The Ithra al Khair company brought 60 chefs from Nigeria to cook specialized meals for the country’s pilgrims. He described it as an honour when he went round the tents in Arafat, seeing pilgrims praying in their air-conditioned tents and unconcerned about food and water because they were in abundance. Sindhi defined this as one of the most satisfying visits he had.

Emphasizing the elevated standards set by Ithraa Al Khair, Dr Sindhi noted with pride that the unique tents in Arafat and exceptional services provided during the pilgrimage were widely appreciated by his competitors too, whilst drawing attention to the significant changes in Muzdalifa.

The Mu’assasa Chairman reflecting his company’s commitment to excellence, invested close to $200,000,000 to develop Mina tents.

The Chairman of the Mu’assasa group celebrated the NAHCON Chairman Malam Jalal Arabi and other prominent NAHCON staff for their dedication. In appreciation Dr Sindhi presented gifts to NAHCON for the partnership.

The company equally appreciated the Nigerian state delegations for their cooperation towards success of the exercise.

•Fatima Sanda Usara is Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON.

•PHOTO: L-R; Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, NAHCON Chairman/CEO and Dr. Ahmad Sindhi, Chairman of the Mu’assasa group, Ithraa Al Khair.

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