The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) ,has commended The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for lifting the direct travel ban into Saudi Arabia from Nigeria.
A statement by Fatima Sanda Usara ,the head information Unit of NAHCON, mentioned that the lifting of the travel ban was through a circular released by General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA).
“The only requirement for entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is full vaccination with the accompanying registration on Tawakkalna and Eatmarna apps as gateway”. added Usara
Accordingly, intending pilgrims for Umrah from Nigeria and other similarly banned countries are permitted to travel directly into Saudi Arabia so long they fulfil the mandatory vaccines requirement.
NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, according to the statement further rejoiced with multitudes of Muslims all over the world, Nigeria in particular, for the normalization of worship in the two Holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
“It has been two years of agonizing deprivation for those to whom Saudi Arabia is not just a home of worship but also a means of livelihood”. added Alhaji Zikirullah
Alhaji Hassan however appreciated the fact that Saudi Arabia’ s decisions on matters of Hajj and Umrah have always been in the interest of the Muslim world and the generality of humanity, no matter how difficult the decision might seem.
The NAHCON Chairman, further commended the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, Khadimal Haramain, His Majesty, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, for this brave move to the Muslim ummah despite the challenges of the pandemic.
“NAHCON is seizing this opportunity to inform the public that guidelines for participation in the Hajj shall be communicated to Nigerian intending pilgrims after signing of the MoU between NAHCON and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah”.
The NAHCON Chairman, who further advised intending pilgrims from Nigeria on the need to be law abiding whenever in Hajj or Umrah, urged them to ensure proper vaccination as a requirement and safety precaution during Hajj operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Intending pilgrims are also reminded to desist from travelling with prohibited items into the Kingdom such as illicit drugs and kola nuts”.
The Chairman of National Hajj commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Killed Hassan who called on intending pilgrims to see the lifting of the travel ban by Saudi authorities as an opportunity to seek closeness to the Almighty, however stated that NAHCON in collaboration with the NDLEA and other interrelated agencies will ensure proper scrutiny for intending pilgrims from Nigeria before embarking on the trip to the Holy Land.
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