By Musa Baba Adamu
The Tour Operators under the auspices of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUN) yesterday in Abuja flagged off airlifting of its customers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage.
The first batch comprised 304 customers, with the rest to be airlifted today ahead of the closure of airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to the Vice President, AHUN, Alhaji Usman Ambursa, the airlift is the first of two movements of its customers from Abuja zone to the holy land.
The historic event was also witnessed by the Commissioner for Policy and Finance, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prince Aliyu AbdulRazaq.
Briefing newsmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Alh. Ambursa said at least 1000 intending pilgrims would be performing this year’s pilgrimage through Tour Operators.
The vice president who also took time out to thank NAHCON for its role in ensuring the success recorded by the Association, said the gesture only meant a recognition of the their efforts.
He said: “We thank God that despite the numerous challenges faced, we are here today to witness the inaugural flight of AHUN and by having the Commissioner of Finance of NAHCON here is clearly manifestation that the commission has recognize the effort of tour operators.
“This is the first flight and we going to have the second and third flight tomorrow and next day.”
He also disclosed that the pilgrims with Your Operators would be heading back to the country after the pilgrimage on the 21st of this month.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Finance, NAHCON, expressed his delight that the flight exercise had finally commenced despite initial hiccups.
Thanking the President Bola Tinubu and the Chairman of the Commission, Malam Ahmad Jalal Arabi, for ensuring that the day came to be, he said admonished the pilgrims to be of good behavior while in the holy land.
He said: “ We want to use this opportunity to thank the chairman of NAHCON, Malam Ahmad Jalal Arabi and Mr president his efforts in ensure seemless Hajj operations this year.
“But we must not run away from the challenge we encounters from the dollar fluctuation and uncertainty that befall on us that we were thinking at ta time that we not going to make Hajj this but Allah came to our rescued and we able to gathered the number and to the Abuja zone is flying Flyadeal to the Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia.
‘We want to advice the pilgrims to abide by the law of Saudi Arabia and they should understand the do and don’t. I believe the tour operators are experiences in the field and already abreast with what is expected of them in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Whatever that is illegal is not accepted because their intention is pure, they are going there serve Almighty Allah and it is something that every body want to do and you should fear Allah, let it be your watch word while there in Saudi Arabia and be a ambassadors of Nigeria and not to put the person that carry you there into trouble.”
He also advised the pilgrims to always have their documents handy whenever they were while in the holy land.
“Remember the Musut card which without it you will be able to perform Hajj and I believe the Tour Operators are aware of that..you should be timely in getting them their Musuk Card and whatever they need that will enable them have seamless Hajj.”
