No automatic allocation of seats to the aged in Kano

ben adhoc

February 26, 2016 3:17 PM

"It was resolved that old persons and those with health challenges must be accompanied by their relations or they will forfeit the seats,’’ he said.

Alhaji Badamasi Nuhu, the Public Relations Officer of KanoState Pilgrims Welfare Board, says all prospective pilgrims in the state will henceforth undergo screening before being allocated Hajj seats.

Nuhu disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Friday in Kano.

He said that the new policy was in the bid to ensure that the aged and those with health challenges were identified and given special treatment.

Nuhu said that all the aged and those with health challenges who would not perform the Hajj without being assisted must be accompanied by a relation.

"Any intending pilgrim who cannot withstand the rigours of the Hajj due to old age or health challenges must henceforth be accompanied by a relation,’’ he stressed. Nuhu said that the decision to introduce the new measure was taken after a stakeholders’ conference held in the state recently.

"The stakeholders’ conference was attended by doctors, nurses and Islamic scholars.

He also said that the state government was determined to ensure effective implementation of the new policy in order to ensure the success of subsequent Hajj operations.

"The decision is not meant to stop such people from going for the Hajj, rather it aims to alleviate their sufferings while in the Holy Land,’’ Nuhu said.

ben adhoc