By Ibrahim Muhammed
To abstain from acting illegally; to abstain from taking what is not given; to abstain from sensuous misconduct; to abstain from false speech; to abstain from arrogant intoxicants as tending to cloud the mind – Anonymous
The piece with the above title published in Tuesday edition of Blueprint was purportedly written by one Danjuma Muhammed, but it was clearly the indistinct product of a State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (SMPWB) that swings between lawlessness and intellectual desolation. This SMPWB is outraged because the press statement by the Independent Hajj Reporters on the sales of hajj seats caught it red handed feasting on illegality and superciliousness.
The article was pregnant with all the ingredients of impulsive aggression and adult manifestation of guilt. Though the ghost writer claimed to be from Kano but going by his inductive reasoning, he clearly emanated from the “obvious suspect” in the recent illegal sales of hajj seats.
The ghost writer used four of his eight paragraphs in the article to question the emergence or the modus operandi of the Independent Hajj Reporters – as if the role of a registered civil society organization is a rocket science.
A simple goggle search of the name “Independent Hajj Reporters” could have availed the writer the profile and modus operandi of the civil society group since its emergence; and how it has been consistent in reporting and commenting on hajj activities in the country.
Let it be clear here that the purpose of writing this rejoinder is not to join issues with the ghost writer but to deconstruct his reactions to Independent Hajj Reporters press statement, which urged SMPWBs not to commence sales of hajj seats.
The press statement issued by Independent Hajj Reporters is a harmless advice urging states pilgrim’s boards not to sell hajj seats now to avoid the racketeering that trails hajj seats. Why this inoffensive statement raised the angry antenna of a state pilgrim’s board remains a puzzle.
In the performance of its role as a civil society aimed at deepening transparency and hitch free hajj exercises, Independent Hajj Reporters has had cause to issue public statements to caution or appreciate NAHCON, as well as other stakeholders in hajj operation, when the need arises. We are not watch dog but only report and comment on hajj operations and Umrah and encourage hajj stakeholders to do the right things for the benefit of pilgrims and Muslims.
Independent Hajj Reporters has severally issued statements on several issues that bother on the commonwealth of Nigerian pilgrims that incurred NAHCON’s wrath. These two stories (http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/weekly/index.php/features/10565-nigerian-pilgrims-live-dine-in-refuse-in-mecca and http://allafrica.com/stories/201310280862.html) on pilgrims living in dirty environment in Muna, Saudi Arabia are examples of our role in ensuring better service delivery to pilgrims notwithstanding whose ox is gored.
Based on the above, can any rational mind brand the Independent Hajj Reporters “a lapdog of NAHCON?” Hypocritically, the writer admitted that in essence, there was a directive from NAHCON via a letter dated 3d February 2015, sent to State Governors and copied SMPWBs “not to commence sale of seat to intending pilgrims until they receive their seat allocation from the commission.” According to the letter and as stated in the fifth paragraph of the ghost writer’s piece “NAHCON will meet the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj on March 19 in order to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for Hajj 2015. At that meeting, the hajj slots allocated to Nigeria will be unveiled.”
Here comes the puzzle: If actually all SMPWBs received such directive, why would a SMPWB arrogantly violated the directive from its apex regulating body and went ahead to flag- off sales of hajj seats? Many states are yet to commence the sales of hajj seats in compliance with NAHCON directive. In fact, The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board which earlier wanted to commence the sales of hajj seats rescinded its decision based on the directive by NAHCON.
Moreover, the writer did not also refute the fact that those who sponsored the write-up acted against the law, but only protested against Independent Hajj Reporters’ statements. The press statement calling for states pilgrim’s boards not to commence hajj seats was released to media houses on 1 February 2015 as posted on Independent Hajj Reporters facebook page and not 3 February as claimed by the writer. Press statements are not necessarily published by the prints media same day they were released.
To admit his barefaced hypocrisy, the ghost writer said “NAHCON advice seems logical” but still contradicted himself by questioning the reasons behind Independent Hajj Reporters statement that simply urged SMPWBs to comply with this “logical advice.” In one sentence he said “genuine as NAHCON’s advise seems, but they are nonetheless an official cover up to perpetuate corruption.”
My brothers and sisters, between a SMPWB boss who corruptly and illegally collected money from intending pilgrims with the promise of giving them what he does not have yet; and a civil society that issued a press statement urging the former not to engage in that illegality, who is guilty and deserves to be hanged for corruption? This is an outright manifestation of guilt.
As an NGO, the source of funding of Independent Hajj Reporters is clearly stated in its constitution which is donation and contributions from members. The identities of our members in various media houses are known. Mr. ES and Mr. PRO (Danjuma Muhammed) let it be clear that Independent Hajj Reporters have never solicited hajj seats from any state or NAHCON for its member.
As an NGO, our members are free to be nominated by government agency if they believe that he will add value to their services. But that will not in any way prevent IHR from abiding with the ethics of the profession.
It’s foolhardy for those who live in a glass house to throw stones.
Since the writer has ascribed the role of watchdog to us, we are now going to assume the full role of watching their dog by harnessing our investigative journalism training in full throttle. The identity of IHR is well known and it shall be readily available to confront any challenges be it legal or otherwise in its activities.
Muhammad is the national coordinator of Independent Hajj Reporters
