Mashriq Al Dhahabia Al Mutawazi, the Saudi Arabian Hajj service provider contracted by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to provide service to the Nigerian Hajj 2025 delegation at Mashair areas, has threatened to sue the commission over ‘failure to adhere with terms of the contract’.
The Company in a letter dated 1446/08/17 (17/02/2025) addressed to the head of Nigerian pilgrims’ affairs office in Makkah gives the commission 20 days to normalize all the agreements signed by the two parties or they will drag NAHCON to international arbitration.
The letter seen by HAJJ REPORTERS said “Given that the number of pilgrims whose data you have provided to us and who are registered in the massar (NUSUK) system for international pilgrims’ services amounts to (26,287) pilgrims as of this date, your contracting with one or more companies other than Mashariq Al Dhahabiah for Pilgrim Services constitutes a clear violation of the aforementioned clause”.
This is especially true since Mashariq Al Dhahabiah has taken all necessary measures to serve the pilgrims arriving from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as outlined in the previous correspondence shared with you.
In addition to your failure to comply with the provisions of Clause (1) of Article IV of the contract for providing services to the Nigerian Hajj delegation for the Hajj season 1446AH, it has been demonstrated through practical experience during the previous period that you have not shown seriousness in fulfilling the aforementioned obligations.
“Following up on our previous correspondence regarding the registration of all pilgrims arriving from the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the massar (NUSUK) system for international pilgrims within the deadlines specified by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, it has come to our attention that the Nigerian Pilgrims Affairs Office has contracted with other service providers to offer services to pilgrims arriving from Nigeria for the Hajj season ( 1446 AH), excluding Mashariq Al Dhahabiah for Pilgrim Services, without obtaining the approval of Mashariq Al Dhahabiah for pilgrims services
This action constitutes a clear and explicit violation of the provisions of Clause (1) of Article IV of the contract for providing services to the Nigerian Hajj delegation for the Hajj season.
1. The First Party (your office) is obligated to ensure that the number of pilgrims arriving to perform the Hajj rituals for the season of 1446AH is (95,000) pilgrims, following the instructions of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This number includes males, females, and children. The First Party also commits to providing the Second Party (Mashariq Al Dhahabiah) with a detailed statement of the numbers for each gender and age group by 1446/08/08AH, corresponding to 2025/02/7
This is especially true since Mashariq Al Dhahabiah has taken all necessary measures to serve the pilgrims arriving from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as outlined in the previous correspondence shared with you.
Despite issuing several pledges to contract with Mashariq Al Dhahabiah for Pilgrim Services for the full share of pilgrims under the Nigerian Pilgrims Affairs Office or through Hajj tourism companies, unfortunately, we have not observed any actions from your side reflecting your commitment to fulfilling these obligations. On the contrary, you have contracted with other service providers instead of Mashariq Al Dhahabiah for Pilgrim Services, which has caused significant harm to the Company
Therefore, and in reference to Article (21) of the aforementioned contract, which stipulates the following :
Any dispute arising in relation to the implementation or interpretation of the terms and conditions of this agreement shall be resolved mutually between the two parties within twenty (20) days. Otherwise, it shall be referred to arbitration. Each party shall appoint an arbitrator and bear the associated costs, while the third arbitrator shall be jointly appointed by both parties, and the costs shall be shared equally. etc”.
We hereby urgently request you to schedule a meeting with us to discuss the breaches of this agreement and the serious violations of its terms committed by your office. Please note that if you fail to respond to the contents of this letter, the company will proceed to implement the provisions of Article (21) of the aforementioned contract. We kindly request your acknowledgment and attention to this matter
