A Civil Society Organisation that monitors and reports Hajj/Umrah activities has constituted a five-man committee that will monitor the process of executing Hadaya (animal sacrifice) on behalf of Nigerian pilgrims during 2019 Hajj.
In a statement jointly signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, and publicity secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud, said the committee was constituted for smooth and transparent Hadaya processes.
It will be recalled that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), had in 2016 appointed Jaiz Bank as the sole collector of Hadaya payment on behalf of Nigeria.
According to the agreement, Jaiz bank will remit the collection to the Islamic Development Bank, IDB, to carry out the rites.
IDB is the only bank authorized to undertake the exercise for all pilgrims.
“In compliance with the transparency policy of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, NAHCON and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare boards have presented the breakdown of 2019 hajj fare to the public recently.
“Similarly, the breakdown contained details of how the fair for 2019, roughly around N1.5 million, was arrived atand because Hadaya is optional in hajj rites, detailed process of this item currently being executed mostly by states Muslim pilgrim welfare boards were missing in the 2019 hajj template.
The head, public affairs of NAHCON, Fatima Sanda-Usara in a statement, had said every pilgrim embarking on the 2017 Hajj will pay the sum of N38,000.00 as price for the sacrificial animal, Hadaya.
According to her, the state pilgrims’ welfare boards, commissions and agencies are to collect the sums and remit same to the designated accounts of Jaiz Bank Plc which is the appointed bank for the collection of the amounts for the holy rite of Hajj.
“Intending pilgrims are cautioned against committing their Hadaya charges to any individual apart from Jaiz Bank.
“They are to deposit the fees with any JBN branch closest to them and they should be issued with a receipt confirming payment made. Alternatively, any committee set up by state pilgrim’s welfare boards to collect the said amount, due to the absence of JBN in the area, must remit the collected funds into JBN, the authorized representatives of Islamic Development Bank in Nigeria and thereafter distribute receipts to the clients,” Mrs Sanda-Usara said.
The group, however, observed that while Nigerian pilgrims paid N38,000:00, the official price posted on the website of the Saudi Project for the utilization of Hajj meat managed by Islamic Development Bank was SR450 (US$ 120), which is equivalent to N49,500 based on N110 to a riyal exchange rate by then… (www.adahi.org)
NAHCON also met with Jaiz Bank officials to review the process of Hadaya collection to block loopholes being exploited by racketeers.
Therefore, Mrs Sanda-Usara also cautioned all intending pilgrims against committing their Hadaya charges to any individual apart from Jaiz Bank.
“They are to deposit the fees with any JBN branch closest to them and they should be issued with a receipt confirming payment made. Alternatively, any committee set up by state pilgrim’s welfare boards to collect the said amount, due to the absence of JBN in the area, must remit the collected funds into JBN, the authorized representatives of Islamic Development Bank in Nigeria and thereafter distribute receipts to the clients,” she stressed.
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