Gombe state intending Pilgrims will be airlifted to Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage on 15 May 2025.
This was made known by the Executive Secretary Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board shortly after the board held a meeting in preparations for the pilgrimage.
The board secretary said preparations has reached advance stage by the board for a successful airlift of the state contingent for this year’s Hajj exercise
He said nine hundred and thirty intending Pilgrims including those who pay through Hajj saving scheme settled their cash in full while about five hundred made part payment.
Alh Sa’adu Hassan said the board has already booked for accommodation in both Mecca and Medina for the pilgrims, as Gombe state maintained the one use in the previous Hajj exercise despite the harsh competition.
The Executive Secretary said there are some obstacles in the preparation in regards to the basic travel allowance (BTA) as the Central Bank insisted to Present the Pilgrims with an ATM cards for their travel allowances, but the board rejected and seek for the state Governor’s approval to provide the Pilgrims with cash instead and he accepted.
He said all the BTA for Gombe state will be paid in cash and already the board has the money in hand.
The executive secretary who thanks the state Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for standing with board, calling on pilgrims to regards their trip as religious obligations not a luxury to justify their spending.
Alh Sa’adu Hassan stressed the need for strictly adherence to the rules and regulations guiding Hajj exercise warning that the board will not condoned any breach of law and order throughout the exercise.
