Reduce Hajj Fare, Islamic Cleric Tells FG

From Saka Bolaji, Minna

An Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Dr. Umar Faruq Abdullahi, who is also the Chief Imam of Bosso Estate Juma’at Mosque, Minna, Niger state has appealed to the Federal Government and National Hajj Commission to reduce the Hajj fare so that it could be affordable for the intending pilgrims from Nigeria.
Dr. Abdullahi stated that the hajj fare put at over N1.5m was on the high side, which could deny many muslim from performing their religious obligations this year, stressing that “the amount fixed now was too much that not everybody can afford it”
He also advised that the commission can revert to the payment of basic travel allowance (BTA) to the pilgrims in Saudi’s Currency ( Riyals) instead of paying them in dollars.
The Chief Imam made this strong appeal at the Juma’at Sermon, pointing out that this has become very necessary because a lot of pilgrims from Nigeria suffered to get their BTA in dollars in the Holy Land last year.
According to him, “that was what led to higher hajj fare last year also this year. If this is done the fare will come down”
Dr Abdullahi also called on the Arewa Youths Forum to withdraw their statement giving Igbo three months notice to quit the Northern part of the country.
The clergyman warned that the action of the youths was unconstitutional as “Allah who created us knew why he joined us together.”
He therefore appealed to the elders from these two regions of the country to call their youths to order so that peace can reign in this country.
He also advised Muslims youths now undergoing recruitment exercise in to Nigeria Army and any forces at this period of Ramadan to suspend their fasting for the duration of the training exercise .
He remarked that this will enable them have strength to withstand the exercise because ” this is also very important to Islam. However, after the training exercise, they must repay back all the numbers of days they did not fast.”
Dr. Abdullahi urged all Nigerians to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari’s health “and for this county for peace, stability and for the revival of our economic.”