Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation has called on NAHCON and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to fashion out a more comprehensive enlightenment programmes for Nigerian pilgrims based on principle of ‘the need-to-know’ and ‘the right-to-know’.
A statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed the stated: “We urge NAHCON and SMPWB to create a more comprehensive enlightenment programme for pilgrims and hajj administrators in the country.
“Such programme should addressed the spiritual needs (hajj rites) and rules and regulations guiding the conduct of hajj exercise in the most practical and realistic way.
“Efforts must be made to intersect the two and to ensure that the right channels of information dissemination are used to transmit such program to pilgrims in a clear and unambiguous manner.” According to the group “Such enlightenment programmes should be able to gives answers to the “What to do? What not to do? Where to do? and How to do? of hajj exercise”.
The statement further advised “NAHCON to publish a hand book of rules and regulation on hajj to be distributed to pilgrims and hajj service providers.
“With the proliferation of channels of information dissemination, production of handbooks on rules and regulation guiding the conduct of hajj exercise will foreclose issue of information adulteration.
“The rules and regulations guiding pre-hajj activities like sales of hajj seats, health and security screenings, pilgrims enlightenment, and consular services should be well documented and made available to pilgrims. Pilgrims need to be aware of its obligations to hajj service providers and vice versa.