By Mustapha Hodi
Katsina State 2023 hajj pilgrims currently in Makkah have applauded the efforts of the State Muslim pilgrim’s welfare boards officials in attending to their complaints, especially during the ‘5 hajj days in Mina’ where virtually all services rendered were termed to be below average.
A pilgrim from Funtua local government, Nasiru Hassan and Yunusa Kabiru said they were particularly happy in Mina not because of the services but due to the quick of officials of the board when they went to complain in Mina.
“I am an ulcer patient so it was not easy for me during our first stay in Mina when food was not supplied on time. My chest was arching and I decided to look for the officials of the state board to see if they can assist us locate where we can buy food.
I am a first-timer so I didn’t know how and where to locate the board’s officials. We were in the middle of the discussion when someone pointed at a tent next to us as a place where Nuhu Kuki, the Executive Director of Katsina State Pilgrims Boards stays.
We meet him attending to some female pilgrims. “The ED as they called him quickly summoned two of his staff and gave them SR100 to go and search for whatever they can get for us” To me, that singular acts change my mood that day.
Another pilgrim, Hamisu Ahmed from Bindawa Local Government area of the state thanked the Executive Governor of the state for the “goro salah” extended to Katsina State pilgrims. I am here with my wife and we both received SR600 as a Sallah gift from the New Governor” He has shown that he cares about the welfare of the state pilgrims. Look, anyone who remembers you while you are on a special mission of fulfilling your religious obligations deserves commendation and prayers.
Kabiru Usman, a pilgrim from Batagarawa local Government however called for “a review of the arrangement of services especially in Mina to allow the states pilgrims board to play an important role” The states officials are very close to us throughout our stays in Mina but they are almost as helpless as we are because I learned it was Saudi Arabia agency that provides all the services in Mina”
That should be reconsidered because of the importance of services to pilgrims during hajj, He said.
