The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Monday urged the various state pilgrims welfare boards/commissions and agencies to conclude and upload the group of pilgrims into groups of 45 on the e-track portal by Friday.
This is contained in a press release signed by the Hajj Commission’s Deputy Director, Information and Publications, Mousa Ubandawaki, made available to Tribune Online in Abuja.
The grouping, according to Ubandawaki, was in compliance with the mandatory Saudi policy on Tafweej grouping for the 2024 Hajj movement.
He added that it is also intended for ease of visa issuance on the Saudi Visa e-track platform.
“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) wishes to advise State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Commissions and Agencies to conclude the grouping of pilgrims into groups of 45 and conclude data upload to the e-track portal latest by Friday 26th, 2024.
“These groupings are intended for ease of visa issuance on the Saudi Visa e-track platform. It is also in conformance with the mandatory Saudi policy on Tafweej grouping for 2024 Hajj movement,” the release stated.
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It further informed that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia introduced new measures for this year’s Hajj operations, one of which is the mandatory grouping of pilgrims into groups of 45.
“Hence, pilgrims’ visas will be issued only when they complete a group of 45.”
The commission also encourages pilgrims wishing to travel together in desired groups to meet their respective state pilgrims’ welfare boards to be grouped together, submitting that, “this is the only avenue to arrange to travel with those whom you wish.”
According to Ubandawaki, “These groups of 45 will always conduct their Hajj activities together; from departure from Nigeria, accommodation and movement in both Makkah and Madinah, Masha’ir activities, and journey back to Nigeria
“The Commission wishes to reiterate that this is the last chance given by the Saudis to conclude all arrangements for group travel by intending pilgrims for 2024 Hajj operations.
“After the expiration of this deadline, all pilgrims will remain confined with their selected group members whose visas will appear together.”
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