The Edo State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board said it requires a total of $60,000 for the payment of Duty Tour Allowance, DTA, and sacrificial animals for its 2024 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Newspot reports that 300 intending pilgrims will be performing this year’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Saudi Arabia.
Sheikh Ibrahim Oyarekhua, the chairman of the board, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin City when the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, visited the board to bid intending pilgrims farewell to the holy land.
Oyarekhua said the 300 intending pilgrims in the state would be airlifted to Saudi Arabia on Friday, May 24, for Hajj operation.
He also disclosed that two of the intending pilgrims who had already paid an initial deposit of N4.5 million withdrew following the increase in Hajj fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to N8.4 million.
He said the 300 intending pilgrims were made up of 164 males and 136 females.
The Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board chairman, however, appealed to the state government
to come to the aid of the pilgrims to overcome the burden of the $60,000 for the payment of the DTA and the sacrificial animals.
He said: “Mr Governor, sir, where we are having a little challenges now is the issue of DTA and the issue of sacrificial animals in Saudi Arabia, and this has become a burden to the pilgrims
“We appeal to the state governor to come to the aid of the pilgrims to overcome the burden, which is $60,000.”
Oyarekhua charged the pilgrims to be patients and be good ambassadors of the state in the holy land, by shunning all acts capable of tarnishing their image and that of the state and Nigeria at large.
He, however, commended the governor for always coming to the aid of the board at the time of their needs. He noted that the board has fared well under his administration.
On his part, Governor Godwin Obaseki commended Muslims, who he said have been supporting his administration in the last seven and a half years.
“The prayers you rendered for me, especially when you go to the Holy Land, have been largely responsible for seeing me through all the challenges I have faced in the last seven and a half years.
“What I have done for the Muslims and the board is because of my belief that Edo is one, whether Muslims or non-Muslims and that, as your governor, I have a responsibility to cater for all. irrespective of religion.
“So, I am always here to support you the same way we support others. That is why I always look at your requests.
“When you contributed money and made sacrifices to go to Hajj and the unexpected happened, the least government can do is support you to meet this obligation,” he stated.
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