Abuja – The Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation, has called on NAHCON and SMPWBs to enlighten pilgrims and hajj administrators in the country on Hajj rights.
The acronyms NAHCON and SMPWBs mean the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards.
The group made the appeal in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The statement was jointly signed by the National Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed, and Publicity Secretary, Malam Abubakar Mahmoud, of the organisation.
According to it, the programme will educate intending pilgrims and other stakeholders on their rights.
“This is to urge NAHCON and SMPWB’s to create this programme to address the spiritual needs, rules and regulations guiding the conduct of hajj exercise in most practical and realistic way.’’
The group said that the programme should be able to give answers to “What to do, what not to do, where to do and how to do it” of hajj exercise.
The statement further advised NAHCON to publish a hand book of rules and regulations on hajj to be distributed to pilgrims and hajj coordinators.
“Hajj is an annual event that draws people from all over the world with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the meeting point.
“Pilgrims need to be equipped with laws of the host country not to fall offensive to the regulations,’’ the organisation said.
“The pilgrims need to be aware of its obligations to hajj service providers and vice versa, the rights of pilgrims should be separately highlighted from what constitutes privileges.’’
The organisation said: “The rules and regulations guiding pre-hajj activities like sales of hajj seats, health and security screening, pilgrims enlightenment and consular services should be well documented and made available to pilgrims.”
The organisation urged that the proposed programme should be centred on understanding hajj rights, basic laws and regulations in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
