The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to Muslims who had planned to perform the 2021 Hajj to remain strong in faith as their dreams will be realised as soon as COVID-19 recedes.

MURIC, an Islamic civil right organisation, made the call in a statement, signed by its Director Prof. Ishaq Akintola in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Saudi Arabia on June 12, said restricted the annual pilgrimage to citizens and residents and set a maximum of 60,000 pilgrims in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

NAN reports that the Saudi government said those wishing to perform the hajj must be free of chronic diseases and be vaccinated and between the ages of 18 and 65.

MURIC said:”we reiterate our position that this is a postponement necessitated by COVID-19 pandemic. It is not a punitive measure against the Nigerian government or a disciplinary action against Nigerian Muslims.

”Hajj 2021 has been postponed the same way that several events of massive gathering of people have been postponed in many parts of the world on account of the Corona Virus pandemic.

”We urge all those affected by the postponement to strictly follow guidelines issued by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON)
authorities from time to time.

“We also commend NAHCON for being proactive. It is on record that the commission has already told intending pilgrims who wish to collect the money paid for this year’s hajj to come forward.

To that extent, therefore, MURIC commends NAHCON for being transparent and accountable without being forced to do so.

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev Yakubu Pam, on Monday reinstated commitments toward achieving zero abscondment during the 2020 pilgrimage to Israel and Rome.

Pam, who gave the assurance at a conference with the chairmen of Christian pilgrim boards in the states of the federation and FCT in Abuja, stressed that new steps were being taken to ensure zero absconment and a successful pilgrimage.

”We have called this meeting for us to prepare for the 2020 pilgrimage which by the special grace of God we are expecting will take place in December 2020.

”We are planning to make sure that we have the best operation this year in terms of having zero absconmemt.

”The possibility of having no absconment in this year’s pilgrimage is what we are discussing and also to have the best operation in terms of providing service to the people, both on air and on ground in Israel.

”Also to make sure we represent Nigeria as ambassadors while down in the Holyland and finally to make sure that anybody traveling to Israel for pilgrimage is not going for tourism,” he said.

Pam also said that the spiritual context would be looked into critically to ensure there was a spiritual value to what was being done, “so that when they come back home, they will be able to use their experience and serve the country”.

He also said that the commission was mindful of the COVID-19 guidelines and would follow all the guidelines to ensure the safety of Nigerians travelling for pilgrimage.

”We are mindful of COVID-19 and every practical step in accordance with the federal rules on COVID-19 is taken seriously and we are mindful of the health of Nigerians, not only on the issue of COVID-19.

”We know this pandemic has come, but we will manage it.

“It is not something that will be eradicated immediately, we will manage it until final solutions like vaccines have been found.

“If not we will continue to manage it and do our best.”

Pam, who also appealed to governors and well meaning Nigerians who God has blessed to support and sponsor Christian’s to the Holyland added that sponsoring others on a trip like this attracted more blessings.

”I have been making calls across various states appealing to various state governors and well meaning Nigerians who God has blessed to sponsor Christians.

”The blessings of sponsoring people to pilgrims is uncountable. God opens doors for those that take people to Israel with their wealth.

”There is blessings to it and I believe that any good Christian faithful will know that there’s blessings to link up with Israel and Jerusalem.

“There is always tremendous blessing,” he said.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam has inaugurated the 2020 Federal Medical Committee, ahead of the planned pilgrimage to Israel, Greece and Rome.

Pam, who inaugurated the committee on Friday in Abuja,
urged members to see their appointment as a great privilege and to do it to the best of their ability.

According to him, the reason for the medical committee is to set up a team that will ensure an excellent pilgrimage in terms of services, health and security.

The NCPC boss tasked the committee members with the roles of ensuring effective distribution of drugs, handling of all medical cases that may arise during pilgrimage operations.

He also advised the team to liaise with the operations department to arrange and coordinate the orientation of the committee before the pilgrimage.

Yakubu pledged his support to the committee to ensure it achieves maximum result.

He reiterated that their work will be most challenging due to the coronavirus pandemic, and further advised them to shun monetary favours and serve Nigeria with all their hearts.

Speaking on behalf of the inaugurated 2020 Medical Committee, the chairman of the team, Dr David Atuwe, promised that members will carry out their assignments diligently.

Atuwe also promised that the committee will abide by protocols set out by the Federal Government through the PTF and the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure the safety of all pilgrims.