As Saudi Arabia Cancels 2020 Hajj, Nigeria Commission Gives 2 Options For Pilgrims To Get Refund

OLUWATOBI EMMANUEL

The chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, says intending Nigerian pilgrims who have paid for the pilgrimage have two options following the cancellation of 2020 International Hajj.

The Saudi government had announced on Monday, June 22, that the 2020 hajj will not be open to international pilgrims due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the government, only Saudi nationals and other foreign nationals who reside in Saudi will participate in the 2020 hajj.

Following the development, Alhaji Hassan said the two options before intending Nigerian pilgrims are to either get a refund or leave their money for 2021 hajj.

“Our message for intending pilgrims is that they have one or two options: they will get their refund or have the option of leaving the money for next year’s hajj,” Alhaji Hassan said.

Also speaking on the development, Hajj and Umrah tour operators in Nigeria said they have accepted the Saudi government’ decision as the will of God.

The vice-chairman of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), South-West Zone, Alhaji Qasim Alabi, said tour operators should not think about the profit at the expense of people’s health.