By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Saudi Companies of Pilgrims? Establishments, known as Mu?assasa, will assume responsibility for the feeding and accommodation of pilgrims in both Makkah and Madinah, similar to the current practices in Masha?ir (Muna, Arafah and Muzdalifah).

The new initiative that will commence from the 2025 Hajj was conveyed to the various state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards at a meeting held between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the executive secretaries of the state boards in Abuja during the week.

This is even as the Commissions? Acting Chairman and Commissioner of Policy, Personnel Management and Finance (PPMF), Mallam Aliu Abdulrazaq, assured the executive secretaries that their grievances will be addressed after constituting a committee comprising members from both sides.

The Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON, said the crucial meeting was conveyed with a view to making significant decisions in anticipation of next year?s Hajj.

Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi provided updates on recent developments from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, specifically from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, including the announcement of the new initiative in which the Mu?assasa taking responsibility for pilgrims? feeding and accommodation in Makkah and Madinah.

?This policy, which impacts all countries participating in Hajj, will be implemented starting with the 2025 pilgrimage. It is noteworthy that MoHU (Saudi?s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah) had previously proposed taking over feeding in Masha?ir in 2022, which was subsequently put into action that year,? Usara stated.

While applauding the state executive secretaries for their proactive approach in announcing the minimum Hajj deposits for next year, Elegushi encouraged them to maintain this momentum and urged them to collect their letters regarding slot allocations and the 2025 Hajj license.

Elegushi provided the state pilgrims boards? bosses an update on the pending refunds from the 2024 Hajj, which he said NAHCON was still awaiting resolution from the Saudi authorities.

The NAHCON commissioner also advised them to formally request adjustments in their slot allocations as necessary.

Responding, the Chairman, Forum of States Executive Secretary and the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Pilgrims? Board, Malam Idris Almakura, commended the Commission for its e?orts and urged it to sustain the tempo.

A communiqu? issued by the Forum of States Executive Secretary called on NAHCON to address certain issues of concern to the members, including the Hajj Savings Scheme, policy regarding National Medical Team, matters of pilgrims? refunds, among others.

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