The Chairman of the Committee on Hajj and Islamic Affairs at the Kaduna House of Assembly, Honourable Jamilu Abubakar Albani, has advised pilgrims performing this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia not to engage in a shopping spree with their Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA).
Albani, who gave this advice while speaking to newsmen in Medina on Friday, noted that BTA is for the general upkeep of pilgrims to enable them perform Hajj with ease.
The lawmaker, who represents Basawa constituency in the state, further advised them to spend on only the essential things until the end of the Hajj exercise, when they can buy gifts for their families and friends.
It will be recalled that pilgrims were given $400 dollars as BTA this year, owing to the high exchange rate of the naira to the dollar, a situation which elicited complaints from some pilgrims and stakeholders.
The lawmaker also advised Kaduna state pilgrims to always be with their mandate identity cards or Nusuk, which are usually given at Makkah to enable pilgrims access to the grand mosque.
He said: ‘’’Just as pilgrims, after paying for Hajj fares, hold onto their BTAs very tightly, they should keep this ID card or Nusuk more safely.
“Some kind-hearted people may give them money in case they lose their BTAs but if the Nusuk is lost, there will be problems. This is because Nusuk is the ticket that will allow pilgrims to perform their acts of worship.
‘’So, I am calling on pilgrims, officials of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency and heads of groups to ensure that pilgrims carry their Nusuk at all times.”
The legislator commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency for their efforts in ensuring a hitch-free Hajj exercise this year.
Albani noted that although no Hajj exercise is without challenges, but they are not so significant as to mar the pilgrimage, adding that he and other stakeholders are keeping a watch over the conduct of the exercise.
