The first batch of 304 tour operators’ intending pilgrims from Abuja embarked on their journey to Saudi Arabia yesterday for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
The pilgrims seen off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by the commissioner, policy, personnel and finance, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Aliu Abdulrazaq; vice president, Abuja zone of Association of Hajj Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN), Alhaji Usman Ambursa; along with other officials of NAHCON and executive committee members of AHOUN.
Abdulrazaq implored the pilgrims to make Nigeria proud by abiding by the laws of Saudi Arabia.
“Do the dos and don’t do the don’ts. If you make this your watch word, you have no cause to worry,” he advised.
He commended the federal government for making this year’s Hajj seamless for stakeholders in the Hajj industry despite the initial challenges.
The commissioner also urged the pilgrims to ensure the use of NUSUK card (identification and access card) to avoid being arrested by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
The vice president of AHOUN, Abuja Zone, Alhaji Usman Ambursa, assured that the tour operators would airlift all their intending pilgrims to the holy land before the closure of Saudi Arabia’s airspace for international pilgrims on June 10, 2024.
