The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has said Muslims are not demanding for any special concessions for the performance of the holy pilgrimage beyond what is granted other Nigerians because it is a religious duty for which the individuals are responsible.
The NSCIA, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, as President-General, however said if the right consultations are made, the fare for the holy pilgrimage could be lower.
It therefore demanded for an amendment of the Act establishing the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
In the statement made available to the media on Monday, NSCIA said its position was based on the controversy on the hike of 2017 hajj fares as announced by NAHCON.
It said whatever concession is given any other Nigerian travelers, including non-Muslim pilgrims, is due and should be accorded to Hujjaj (Nigerian Pilgrims to Mecca), adding: “Nigerian Muslims do not demand any other special concessions since Hajj is a religious duty for which we are responsible.”
The NSCIA in the statement signed by its Director of Administration, Ustaz Isa Okonkwo, admonished the Federal Government to hand Hajj-related matters, except consular and security, to it, stating that it is government’s involvement that is responsible for the high cost for obvious reasons.
The statement added: “The committee set up by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of Gen. A.B. Mamman (Rtd) to work out the modus-operandi of transfer has not been given the required support (particularly in the area of statistics) by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“Hajj should not be commercialised at the expense of the masses who struggle to fulfill their religious obligation, hence the need to explore the cheapest cost for a comfortable and safe-hajj performance.
“The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) is therefore of the view that Hajj-fare can be less than it is, if all parties are genuinely consulted for an appropriate solution and strategy.
“The NAHCON Act is due for an urgent amendment to remove the wrong notion that Muslims rely on National pulse for the performance of their religious obligation.”
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