Hajj: Second timers to pay additional 2,000 Saudi Riyals – NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria on Tuesday said from next year Nigerians wishing to perform Hajj for the second time would pay additional 2,000 Saudi Riyals based on a new policy introduced by the Saudi Authority.
The Executive Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, disclosed this at the Pre-Arafat meeting with stakeholders.
The meeting, organised by NAHCON, was held in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Muhammad said the policy would enable Muslims who wished to perform the exercise for the first time to actualise their religious obligations.
He said the commission would continue to ensure that state pilgrims welfare boards had given priority to first timers.
He described 2017 Hajj as a unique one because it came with many challenges, adding: “But with the support Allah, the commission is able to overcome it.”
According to Muhammad, despite the increase in hajj fares, 65,000 pilgrims were registered through the states, while 16,200 pilgrims came to Saudi Arabia through Private Tour Operators.
He said there was increase of over 10,000 pilgrims compared to the number of pilgrims that performed the exercise in 2016.
The Charge ‘d’ Affairs, Nigerian Embassy, Riyadh, Ambassador Salisu Umar, stressed the determination of the embassy to assist NAHCON and Nigerian pilgrims to ensure successful Hajj Operation.
Umar appealed to the pilgrims to respect the rules and regulations of Saudi Authority.
Umar also advised the pilgrims to drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration because of the harshness of the weather.
Dr. Aliyu Tanko, Team Leader, Taradudiyyah and Jamara’at Arrangement, said the Saudi Authority had introduced digital technology at Jamara’at whereby buses conveying pilgrims to Muna are installed with GPS device.
Tanko, therefore, urged the pilgrims to comply with the innovation by turning out to the buses in time for easy movement.