Ambassador Urges Commission To Adopt Indonesia’s Hajj Finance System

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia has charged the National Hajj Commission Of Nigeria, NAHCON to learn from the Indonesian agency in the field of Hajj finance, Hajj management and other aspects of Islamic social support.

 

Ambassador Usman Ari Ogah, in a statement through the NAHCON’s Spokesperson, Fatima Usara stated this during the opening ceremony of a 7 day study tour in Indonesia.

 

The NAHCON officials were spurred to having a better understanding of the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) and other areas of Hajj management.

 

Wealth Creation

Ambassador Ogah who harped on the need for NAHCON to learn from Indonesia’s Hajj management system as he challenged the agency to spearhead a system of wealth creation for the Muslim Ummah.

 

According to him, Hajj should not be seen only as a religious requirement but also as a financial institution where Muslims can benefit from finance inclusive programs.

 

The Chairman of Badan Pengolola Keuangan Haji of Indonesia, BPKH, Dr Angitto Abimanyu urged the organisations on the need to be meeting regularly to improve hajj services to pilgrims.

 

“Nigeria and Indonesia have shared bilateral relationships in several aspects, under the Hajj institution and on other social facets of life,” he said.

 

According to a report, BPKH which was established in 2017 had recorded a steady increase in the managing Hajj funds.

 

Return on Investment

Despite the the COVID-19 pandemic and economic contraction in 2020, the organisation was said to have realised 10-11 Billion Dollars returns in investment which was used to subsidise the 2022 Hajj by 59%.

“The pilgrims paid 2,611 Dollars, while the actual cost of the year’s Hajj was 6,411 Dollars,” he stated.

 

Head of the NAHCON delegation, Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakassai, outlined the areas where the Commission needed assistance from BPKH.

 

He listed the areas to include”strong collaboration on the Hajj Savings Scheme, Hajj queuing system, technical advancement in relation to Hajj management and exchange of ideas.”

 

Hajj Fund Management
The Study tour by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, and representatives of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, to Indonesia was part of Islamic Development Bank’s support in the promotion of Hajj fund management under Islamic finance for the benefit of intending pilgrims.

 

The Badan Pengolola Keuangan Haji (BPKH), Indonesia’s equivalent of Nigeria’s Hajj Savings Scheme had recorded a steady increase in managing Hajj funds. Despite the the COVID-19 pandemic and economic contraction in 2020.

 

Lateefah Ibrahim