By OUR REPORTER
The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has raised an alarm on the preponderance of media advertisements on the electronic media for Hajj 2021 warning that some Muslims in Nigeria might be duped by some fraudsters masquerading as Tour Operators across the 36 States of the Federation and FCT Abuja.
In a Press Statement released today by the National Coordinator of the Group Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Group drew the attention of the citizens of the Nation to the emergence of COVID-19 Pandemic early last year which eventually affected performance of Hajj 2020 in which pilgrims from all over the world (except few pilgrims from Saudi-Arabia) could not perform Hajj 2020.
It stated that consequent upon this development, thousands of intending pilgrims that registered and made payment for Hajj to 36 States Pilgrims Welfare Boards and FCT Abuja could not perform the religious duty and have not collected their payments till date because of their hope in this year’s Hajj.
It is no longer fresh news that even though there would be Hajj this year In-sha-Allah, the number of pilgrims to be allowed by Saudi Authorities has been drastically reduced!
On Hajj 2021, the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) under its present hardworking leadership of Alh. Dhikrulkahi Hassan has repeatedly stated through the mass-media that Saudi Authorities is yet to officially allocate Hajj slots to any Nation.
MMWG therefore see advertisements by Tour Operators comprising of International Travelling Agencies, Hajj Travels Companies under whatever guise for people to come and pay for 2021 Hajj till now is totally suspicious and questionable, because those who paid to them and the States Pilgrims Welfare Boards as well as FCT and did not collect their Hajj Fees would be prioritised for this year’s Hajj.
In the past, some fraudulent Tour Operators in this Country have duped several pilgrims who wanted to travel with them through international routes by collecting payment without registering them for Hajj.
The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria therefore warned intending muslim pilgrims to be wary of this scammers who up till now use electronic media to advertise their Agencies even though no slot has been officially given to any Nation till today. It commended the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) for its efficient and effective regulatory roles aimed at sanctioning fraudulent Tour Operators.
It also commended the NAHCON for its achievements so far on Hajj Saving Scheme, Training of Staff for effective Hajj Operation and its effort to reduce Hajj Fees and number of days spent during Hajj.
