2023 HAJJ: FCTA Begins Orientation for Intending Pilgrims

By: Muhammad Lawal Aliyu

The Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board of the Federal Capital Territory, has concluded arrangements to conduct the first phase of orientation and enlightenment exercise for 2023 intending Pilgrims.

The Board revealed that adequate plans to ensure success of the orientation exercise have been put in place.

Accordingly, the exercise is to take place at the FCT Permanent Hajj Camp in Basan-Jiwa, near the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

This was disclosed by the FCT Director of the Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Abubakar Adamu Evuti, in his office at the Central Business District, Abuja, Tuesday.

The Director also disclosed that the orientation exercise will take place between 18th and 19th March, 2023.

Evuti, said that the orientation exercise is an annual routine programme organised by the Board in phases to enable the intending pilgrims get enlightened and acquainted with the Hajj rites as well as new policies introduced for Hajj by the Saudi authorities and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

He advised intending Pilgrims for this year’s Hajj, particularly the first timers to take advantage of the exercise and enhance their Islamic knowledge on Hajj rites and proper guidance to get value for their money.

Evuti called on intending pilgrims, who are yet to return their completed application forms or submit their international Passports to do so, in order to enable the Board commence the process of their travel documentations.

His words: “Those
who missed last year’s Hajj are also expected to update their documentation with the Board; while those who deposited less than the minimum 2.5 Million Naira have been requested to top up their deposit to book a seat for the 2023 Hajj exercise”.

The Director requested that those who made deposits in respect of previous Hajj but missed the exercise due to any reason to report to the Board with original receipt of payment to declare their interest to participate in this year’s hajj or get refund.

“Only intending Pilgrims, who deposited up to the minimum threshold of N2.5 million and above would be shortlisted for this year’s Hajj from the FCT, as the Board awaits the release of the actual fixed amount for 2023 Hajj by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON),” he added.