AS the deadline for payments of 2018 Hajj fares expires on Saturday, March 31, some Muslim faithful and intending pilgrims have called on the authorities to extend the deadline.

Speaking in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos, some of them said they needed more time to raise the N1.35 million initial deposits.

Mahmud Yusuf, a Muslim faithful said that the harsh economic situation made it difficult to raise the Hajj fare.

“I will urge the Lagos State Pilgrims Board to liaise with National Hajj Commissione of Nigeria (NAHCON) to consider an extension because so many intending pilgrims are still trying to make up for their Hajj fares.

“You know, the economic situation is tough, coupled with the fact that the Hajj fare is now on the high side but it’s a duty that every Muslim is determined to fulfil,” he said.

Tunde Saka, another Muslim faithful, commended the Lagos State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board for instituting flexible payments schemes for intending pilgrims, while also calling for an extension of the deadline.

Saka explained that Lagos state Muslim Pilgrims board made Hajj payments a bit flexible by instituting an instalment payment scheme, and this had been helpful to many intending pilgrims.

He, however said there was still need to extend the date to allow much more time for more intending pilgrims to perform the 2018 Hajj.

Mrs Raliat Adigun urged the Lagos state government to reconsider it’s decision not to subside the Hajj fares of some pilgrims.

“In the past, when the state government was involved in subsidizing payment of Hajj fares for certain categories of pilgrims, things were a bit easier.

“We agree that religion is a private affair, but I think it will still be in order for government to help people subsidise these fares, considering the present economic situation,” she said.

NAN reports that NAHCON, in colaboration with state Pilgrims boards fixed March 31 as deadline for payments of the 2018 Hajj fares.

Reacting to the plea, Mr Musbau Okoya, Executive Secretary of the Lagos state Muslim pilgrims board, however said that an extension of the deadline was possible due to the inability of many intending pilgrims to complete the payment.

He added that Lagos state Muslim Pilgrims welfare board had only been able to sell 1000 out of the 2004 Hajj seats allocated to it.

“The response has been very slow due to the economy and, at this rate, I believe there is need to extend the deadline, but the onus lies on NAHCON.

“We have 2004 seat allocated to us but as at now, we only have about 1000 intending pilgrims who have completed their payments, that is low,” he said.

The executive secretary reiterated that pilgrims who had earlier performed Hajj between 2015 and 2017 would be required to pay an additional fee of 2000 Saudi Riyals to perform the forthcoming exercise.

He said that pregnant women were not eligible to perform the pilgrimage.

“As a way of encouraging first time pilgrims, the Saudi authorities have stipulated that those who have been to Hajj between 2015 and now will be required to pay additional 2000 Riyals.

“Pregnant women are also not qualified to perform the Hajj because of the rigours of the exercise and the effect it could have on the unborn child.

“I need to emphasise that Saudi authorities are very strict about this, ” he said. (NAN)

– Mar. 30, 2018 @ 14:54 GMT |