Pastor Yohana Buru, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical Intercessory Fellowship Ministry, Sabon Tasha Kaduna, has called on the Federal Government and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCOM) to cut-down the high cost of 2017 Hajj fare in other to allow Muslims perform one of the five pillars of Islam.

Mr. Buru during a visit to an Islamic scholar in Kaduna on Sunday, said, the high cost of this year’s Hajj fare put at N1.5 million will avert many Muslims from having the opportunity to go to the holy land.

He called on the federal and state governments with all other stakeholders on Hajj affairs, to find means of reducing the cost, to enable more Muslims attend this year’s Hajj.

“We as Christians are really worried about the high cost of the fare for this year because it is too high for the common man to afford, and that is why we are calling on the authorities concerned to find means of reducing the cost, in other to enabled those that are opportune to participate in this year’s Hajj and pray for the unity of the country; and for the speedy recovery of our President, Mohammadu Buhari,” Buru said.

He said going to Hajj is one of the five principles of Islam, and it is an obligation to every Muslim that has the means.

“Nigeria is one of the African countries with the largest number of Muslims attending Hajj every year to Saudi Arabia, and many of them usually pray for peace and stability of the country, therefore we are calling on every stakeholder on Hajj matters to quickly look into the matter before it is too late,” the pastor said.

He appealed to the National and State House of Assembly to be involved in making sure that the cost of the fare is subsidised.

Gambo Abdullahi Barnawa, while thanking the cleric for the visit, said every Muslim that goes to the Holy Land normally pray for peace and stability of the country.

He said such prayers are helping in calming down situation in the country.

He commended Buru for showing concern over the huge amount of money for this year’s Hajj and his calls on the authorities to reduce the cost.

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