The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has issued a warning to the Nigeria Labour Congress about interfering with the current transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Fatima Usara, provided this counsel in a statement released on Monday in Abuja.
Usara also stressed the importance for the NLC to recognize the sensitivity of “this divine devotion and not to encroach on its movement.”
“Information reaching NAHCON indicates that there are plans by a section of the NLC to disrupt the ongoing Hajj operations.
“This is coming in spite of the initial understanding that Hajj flights would not be affected.
“The commission appreciates the concern of the NLC over the welfare of its members, however, NAHCON wants it to respect the sanctity of Hajj as a religious obligation which Muslims do not take lightly.
“The commission advises NLC to apply caution and not to tamper with the Hajj conveyance as a courtesy to the Muslim faith.
“Disruptive action against the smoothness of the operation will deprive intending muslims their fundamental right to worship considering the limited time left before closure of Jeddah and Madinah airports for the pilgrimage,” the statement added.
A total of 65,500 Nigerians are expected to participate in the 2024 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
According to NAHCON records, the commission has already transported 38,805 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on 92 flights.
