Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, has said that officials of the 2024 Hajj were chosen on merit and so they should serve pilgrims to the best of their abilities and with the fear of Allah (SWT) in mind.
The chairman commended Governor Uba Sani for giving the agency free hand to choose competent and experienced people that will facilitate this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
He warned the officials not to cut corners in the discharge of their duties to the pilgrims.
A press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the pilgrims Agency, Yunusa Mohammed Abdullahi, on Friday stated that the chairman gave the warning during the maiden meeting between the officials and members of a committee set up by the state government to ensure smooth hajj operation this year, as well as the management of the agency.
Malam Salihu warned officials against collecting bribes before or after assisting pilgrims because that is forbidden in Islam.
He said: ‘’We should seek our reward from Allah (SWT). We should do our best to satisfy pilgrims and we should listen to their complaints whenever they arise.
“We had earlier warned all registration and pilgrim officers against any form of cash collection from intending pilgrims. So, officials should also desist from receiving money before rendering service.”
Malam Salihu also warned pilgrim registration officers against collecting money for Hadaya for the slaughter of rams during Hajj.
He reiterated that intending pilgrims should be given bank tellers to make deposits in naira, corresponding to the prevailing exchange rate of the dollar.
According to him, any complaint that is lodged against an official would be thoroughly investigated and if he or she is found wanting, he or she would be handed over to security agencies for prosecution.
He also pleaded with officials to work assiduously for the success of this year’s Hajj exercise, not minding the financial or any worldly reward that they would get from the pilgrimage.
He advised officials who are first time pilgrims to learn from those who have gone for Hajj before, 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 and members of the board as well as the management of his agency are committed to a successful Hajj exercise, adding that officials should help them succeed.
The chairman noted that in previous exercises, the board learnt that some officials abandoned pilgrims in the Holy Land and continued with their own Hajj rites, warning that this practice will not be condoned during this year’s pilgrimage.
Malam Salihu said officials will be split into committees based on their identified competencies.
He reminded the officials that anyone who feels he cannot add value in the committee that he or she is appointed should indicate his or her preferences.