Lagos, Jan. 9, 2024 – The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has called on Muslims in Lagos and its environs, who are desirous of performing the 2025/1446 A.H holy pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to obtain the Hajj form from its office in Ikeja, with effect from September, 2024.
Saheed Onipede, the Board Secretary, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Onipede, the cost of the Hajj form is N20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira only) while intending pilgrims are to pay the sum of N8,500,000.00 (Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) as initial deposit, pending the official announcement of the actual fare for the 2025 Hajj by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“In consideration of the present economic situation of the Country, the board has decided to make the payment flexible for intending pilgrims to pay the money in installment in order for them to actualise their dream of performing the spiritual obligation in a seamless manner,” he said..
Onipede advised the intending pilgrims not to make payment into personal accounts, but to raise bank drafts from any commercial bank in favour of ‘Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board’ and submit same to the accounts department for collection of official receipt for the value of the sum paid.
Onipede promised that the board will make refunds if the actual Hajj fare falls below N8.5 million.
Quoting from the Holy Quran Chapter 22 vs 27, the Board Secretary said it is incumbent on every Muslim, male and female, who are mentally, physically and financially capable to embark on the holy pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime.
He prayed that Allah, in His infinite mercy, will provide every intending pilgrim the financial wherewithal to actualise their dream this year, even as he prayed for Allah’s intervention in the crushing economic situation presently being faced by Nigerians.
Onipede assured the intending pilgrims of the State Government’s preparedness to always make the exercise comfortable for them through a well thought out activities and packages which include, accommodating them in a conducive hotel nearer to Haram both in Makkah and Madinah and Ziyarah (visitation) to historical sites in Makkah and Madinah.
Others are regular spiritual counselling and guidance on Islamic tenets by Islamic scholars (Ulamah); quality foods in local delicacies (twice daily) and provision of medical care, amongst others. (GBN)
