The Katsina State Government has commenced the vetting of sponsored clerics from the 34 local government areas across the state, as part of preparations for the 2025 Hajj operations.
The exercise, initiated by the Executive Governor, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, is aimed at ensuring only qualified and competent Islamic scholars guide the state’s pilgrims throughout the Hajj rites.
The vetting process, which began today, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, is being conducted at the Pilgrims Welfare Board headquarters along Daura Road, Katsina. The exercise is being overseen by the committee chairman, Mallam Abu Amar, who also serves as the Commander of the Katsina State Hizba.
The screening commenced with clerics from the Funtua zone. According to the official schedule, clerics from the Daura zone will be interviewed on Thursday, April 17, while those from the Katsina zone will be vetted on Friday, April 18.
In a related development, Governor Radda has also approved the commencement of the 2025 Hajj mandatory orientation classes (Bita) for all intending pilgrims in the state. The training sessions will run from Monday, April 21 to Monday, May 5, 2025.
The Bita programme is scheduled to take place simultaneously across all seven zonal pilgrims’ offices in the state, according to the Pilgrims Welfare Board.
The Public Relations Officer of the board, Badaru Bello Karofi, confirmed the development and urged all intending pilgrims to participate fully in the mandatory training to ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling Hajj exercise.
