Murtala Ade, Kano
Kano state Pilgrims Board has declared readiness to refund all pilgrims who had made advance deposits for 2020 and 2021 hajj fare in the state.
Executive secretary of the board, Alh. Abba Muhammad Danbatta gave the disclosure in an interview with journalists on Tuesday.
Alh. Abba explained that refund of deposited funds especially to interested intending pilgrims become necessary following the sudden cancellation of international pilgrims participation in the 2021 hajj exercise.
In less than 35 day to the commencement of the spiritual exercise, Saudi Arabia authority shocked the global Muslim communities when the announcement of the banning of foreign pilgrims from participating in this year’s religious rituals.
Saudi government announced that only 60,000 pilgrims that are restricted to citizens and residents residing within the Kingdom would be allowed to participate in this years exercise.
The Saudi Authorities have attributed the banning of international pilgrims for the annual rituals to preventive measures and protocols to curtain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Aside the limited number, allegeable participants must be within age limited of 18 and 65 among other stringent measures.
Abba told journalists that a special technical committee will be inaugurated to coordinate and ensure prudent management of the process of refund.
He said the committee which comprises representative of the DSS, Police, Anti-Corruption Agency, Media and other relevant stakeholders, would be entrusted with the mandate of ensuring effective disbursement of fund to all deposits.
Abba who expressed dissatisfaction over the cancellation of the hajj exercise urged Muslims to accept the condition as the will of God while urging for special supplication to the Almighty to ill the world from coronavirus.