Kaduna announces Hajj fare for 2014
From Maryam AhmaduSuka, Kaduna
As Muslims prepare for this year’s Hajj exercise, Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the approved Hajj fare for its intending pilgrims from the state.
statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Yunusa Muhammad Abdullahi, explained that the fares to be paid by the intending pilgrims after a subsidy were: Minimum Fare with BTA of $750 is N704,265.312; Medium Fare with BTA of $1,000 is N741,765.313 and the Maximum Fare with BTA of $1,500 is N824,265.31.
The Board said all intending pilgrims were expected to complete the payment in their respective local government registration centres on or before August 13, 2014.
The statement said the Hajj fare was arrived at after the State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero granted subsidy of N31,948.08, which was part of additional cost of pilgrims’ accommodation in Makkah, uniform and production of enlightenment materials.
“The State Government has also approved three Air Carriers to airlift the State intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj. They are Max, Kabo and Egyptian Airline. The Air Carriers were earlier screened and approved by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
“The Board has urged the intending pilgrims to reciprocate the state government gesture by praying for a peaceful co-existence in the state and the nation in general,” he said.
The statement commended the state government for its financial assistance to the Board toward ensuring the success of this year’s Hajj operation.
Meanwhile, the Board has commenced the screening of its over 5,632 registered intending pilgrims from Kaduna State for the 2014 Hajj exercise.
The Emir of Jema’a Alhaji Muhammadu Isah Muhammadu while flagging off the screening exercise in his Palace in Kafanchan, southern part of the state urged all the intending pilgrims to obey Saudi laws while in the holy land and pray for peace and stability of Nigeria, saying Nigeria needed prayers to overcome its security challenges.