The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, has said that officials for the 2024 Hajj were chosen based on merit, emphasizing their responsibility to serve pilgrims to the best of their abilities and with the fear of Allah (SWT) in mind.
Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, who commended Governor Uba Sani for granting them a free hand to choose competent and experienced individuals to facilitate this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, cautioned the officials against cutting corners in the discharge of their duties to the pilgrims.
In a statement on Friday, the Public Relations Officer of the Agency, Yunusa Mohammed Abdullahi, says the Executive Chairman gave the warning during the inaugural meeting between the officials and members of the Committee established by the state to ensure a smooth Hajj operation this year, as well as the management of the Agency.
The Executive Chairman also cautioned officials against collecting bribes before assisting pilgrims or accepting gratification after assisting them, as both are forbidden in Islam.
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“We should seek our reward from Allah (SWT). We should strive to satisfy pilgrims and be attentive to their complaints whenever they arise. We had previously cautioned all Registration and Pilgrim Officers against any form of cash collection from intending pilgrims. Therefore, officials should also refrain from accepting money before providing service,” he warned.
Malam Salihu also Admonished Pilgrim Registration Officers against accepting payments for Hadaya (ritual ram slaughtering) during Hajj.
He emphasized that prospective pilgrims should be provided with bank tellers to deposit funds in naira, reflecting the current exchange rate of the dollar.
According to Malam Salihu, any complaint lodged against an official will be thoroughly investigated, and if found to be valid, he or she will be handed over to security agencies for prosecution.
The statement adds that the Executive Chairman pleaded with officials to work diligently for the success of this year’s Hajj exercise, regardless of the financial or any worldly reward they may receive from the pilgrimage.
However, it advises officials who are first-time pilgrims to learn from those who have previously performed Hajj, in order to serve Kaduna State Pilgrims to the best of their abilities and with the fear of Allah (SWT).
Malam Salihu said that he, members of the Board, and the management of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency are committed to a successful Hajj, emphasizing that officials should assist them in achieving this goal.
The Executive Chairman observed that during past Hajj exercises, the board discovered instances where some officials deserted pilgrims in the Holy Land to perform their own Hajj rituals, cautioning that such behavior will not be tolerated during this year’s pilgrimage.
The statement cited Malam Salihu stating that officials will be divided into committees based on their identified competencies.
He reminded the officials that anyone who feels they cannot add value to the committee they are appointed to should indicate their preferences.
Safiyah Abdulkadir
