Saudi Arabian authorities have announced plans to reduce the number of external pilgrims by 20 percent and those from within the Kingdom by 50 percent in the coming hajj season.

Relevant Saudi departments, according to a news report published in the Saudi Gazette, are currently working out modalities for the implementation of directives by the authorities to that effect.

The reduction in the number of local and foreign pilgrims, it was gathered, was necessitated by “the giant development projects currently being undertaken” in the Grand Mosque and other holy sites in the Kingdom.

In a statement yesterday, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed that the Saudi authorities have slashed Nigeria’s hajj seats from 95,000 to 76,000.

Spokesman of the commission Alhaji Uba Mana said the reduction does not affect Nigeria alone as it is a worldwide issue.
He confirmed that Saudi authorities have slashed the total number of pilgrims from all over the world for this year’s hajj by 20 percent.

The Saudi authorities, in a letter sent to the commission, said the measures being taken were due to the ongoing construction works at the Holy Mosque in Mecca, which may not be completed before the 2013 hajj season.

The commission called on states pilgrims’ welfare boards, hajj agencies and other stakeholders to affect the changes as it was made to provide comfort to the pilgrims from all over the world.

“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) wishes to notify all states pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and other stakeholders that the commission has received a notice from Saudi Arabia on the 20% global reductions in hajj seat allocations for 2013 hajj exercise affecting all countries”, NAHCON spokesman Alhaji Mana said.

The statement also quoted Saudi Minister of Hajj Affairs Dr Bandar Bin-Muhammad al-Hajjar as explaining that the usual capacity of Haram is the maximum of 48,000, but as the expansion projects commenced the number was reduced to 20,000 representing 22 percent.

Consequently, the commission said the 95, 000 seats allocated to Nigeria has now scaled down to 76,000 pilgrims.
But sources close to the Nigerian tour operators said the cut in the number of pilgrims will begin this Ramadan as more than half the number of intending pilgrims from Nigeria may not secure Umrah visa.

Daily Trust was also told that the cost of securing a visa to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj this Ramadan could go for more than N300,000 as against the N85,000 charged in the previous years.

“This development has discouraged many intending Umrah pilgrims; in fact, many have decided not to go because of the uncertainty as regards the exercise this Ramadan; the reality is that many cannot afford it because of the high cost and other difficulties likely to be encountered as a result of the cut in the number of those going for the lesser hajj by the Saudi authorities”, the source said.

A competent source at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the development, saying however that there was no official communication between the commission and the Saudi authorities on the matter.

On whether the quota for Umrah in the coming Ramadhan will be slashed, the source said it is mere interpretation by tour operators. He, however, confirmed that this year’s Umrah visa has only 15 days validity as against the usual 30 days granted previously.

Saudi authorities said the Mosque expansion projects were aimed at enabling the pilgrims and visitors to complete their hajj and Umrah rites with ease.

Also, Saudi Hajj Minister, Dr Bandar Al-Hajjar, denied that the number of visas granted to Umrah companies would be reduced this year. He said slots have been distributed to cover the whole year.

“The companies should use the visas granted to them on time and should not hold them to be used in one month,” he said.
Under the new arrangement, according to the minister, the visas will be granted on a monthly basis, and the companies are expected to use them the same month.

“If the visas are not used during the same month, they will be cancelled,” the minister warned.
He expressed worry that Umrah companies kept the visas granted to them for the months of Rajab and Sha’aban for use in the month of Ramadan.

“This practice will disrupt the ministry’s plans and the system of visa issuance which is tied to the provision of accommodation, transportation and other services,” he said.

A number of hotels and Umrah companies have complained that the new arrangements will not enable them to make long-range plans because they will be obliged to use the visas for the same month.

They said the arrangements will not satisfy their needs or help them make early contracts. “We will not be able to make our programmes for the season if we are not able to know earlier the number of visas that will be granted,” one operator who craved anonymity said.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/top-stories/56706-s-arabia-slashes-nigeria-s-hajj-slots

if this is true, idk why the muslim world stands idle as the saudi family are allowed to control islam to this extent.
This is just a wealthy family that came to power through force, they're not clerics and shouldn't be seen are religious leaders. If they can't handle the influx of visitors make mecca an independent nation.

Ikengawo: if this is true, idk why the muslim world stands idle as the saudi family are allowed to control islam to this extent.
This is just a wealthy family that came to power through force, they're not clerics and shouldn't be seen are religious leaders. If they can't handle the influx of visitors make mecca an independent nation.

who cares!mtheeeew

ikwere militant: who cares!mtheeeew

It's important to care because a private family has more influence on 60 million nigerians than the quaran it's self

Best practice is that all level of governments should not sponsor anybody to hajj. nigeria is a poor country.

Anybody that want to go for hajj should pay by himself.

Lord of mercy pls let ur mercy b surfficient for this poor country Nigeria. Soudi Arabia in the name of hajj are spinning money out of ignorant poor nations. Visa will cost N300,000 per person and Nigeria is alocated 76,000 slots. This means N300,000 multiply by 76,000= N22,800,000,000, Therefore Southi Arabia will make twenty two billion eight hundred million Naira this year from Nigeria selling visa. Then when the mosque is completed the allocation will return back to normal 95,000 slots. And it will be 95000 multiply with N300,000=N28,500,000,000(28 Billion 500 million naira is what Southi Arabia wil b making from Nigeria government. Oh God, in advance country govt. don't sponsor religious pilgrimage as religion is individual affairs. This money should b use to industrialise Nigeria 4 youth employment.

sakaguchi: Let me tell you all, God is not in Mecca, Medinna, Jerusalem, Rome or Mumbai, He is everywhere and if yall are deceiving yourselves at this 21st century enriching a royal familyin the name of hajj, all I can say is that I envy that family and pity you all.

. Its not all about enriching a particular family, it's all about sacrifice one make to worship his GOD and prayer is best answered in congregation.

this headline is misleading, as if Nigeria was isolated for punishment.

E get as e b jare

Spirituality is for those seeking understanding. Religion is for those seeking reward.

people just reply to trends as if they don't understand simple English, the Saudi people said they want to renovate their mosque, and to avoid hazard they have reduced the number of people to visit their country, wetin concern Fahd's family inside that one.
Is it a most we travel there in the first instance, abi if you no go there you no go enter paradise? Religion is almost blinding us all in this country and i pray we wake up on time.

victorv12: Spirituality is for those seeking understanding. Religion is for those seeking reward.

i concur. religion=20% spirituality + 80% Culture.

Glory be to Obatala. Now its time for Israel to do the same. Stop wasting Nigeria's money on such frivolities. If you cannot afford to go hajj/Israel stay at home. God is everywhere.

Hmmmmmmmm jerusalem is the alternative route

juman: Best practice is that all level of governments should not sponsor anybody to hajj. nigeria is a poor country.

Anybody that want to go for hajj should pay by himself.

In complete Agreement. For both Muslim and Christain prilgrimages..

akymme: people just reply to trends as if they don't understand simple English, the Saudi people said they want to renovate their mosque, and to avoid hazard they have reduced the number of people to visit their country, wetin concern Fahd's family inside that one.
Is it a most we travel there in the first instance, abi if you no go there you no go enter paradise? Religion is almost blinding us all in this country and i pray we wake up on time.

the mosques doesnt belong to them. if we should tow religions line, all sacred places belong to the people of the faith, and its obvious that the kingdom govt have personalized the sacredness of the place determining who will come and who shouldnt

Ikengawo: if this is true, idk why the muslim world stands idle as the saudi family are allowed to control islam to this extent.
This is just a wealthy family that came to power through force, they're not clerics and shouldn't be seen are religious leaders. If they can't handle the influx of visitors make mecca an independent nation.

don't comment on issues you know nothing about

Wetin concern me?

@sakaguchi, muslims don't go on hajj because they think God is in Saudi. there are five pillars in Islam, hajj is one of them. Hajj is a commandment from God Almighty.it is compulsory on all muslims to perform hajj atleast once in a life time if one has the means.

How is it our concern, if they like let them stop the whole muslems from attending it will not bother me.

..

juman: Best practice is that all level of governments should not sponsor anybody to hajj. nigeria is a poor country.

Anybody that want to go for hajj should pay by himself.

I agree with you on this. The seats should be limited to hajj officials.The likes of Dokubo Asari should stop getting hajj seats. Political thugs(elewe omo was there during akala reign) should stop getting free seats.

Same should be applied to Jerusalem pilgrimage.

Hard working Muslims, using their own money should take the available slots.

The topic is misleading. The cut is not limited to Nigeria.

Ikengawo: if this is true, idk why the muslim world stands idle as the saudi family are allowed to control islam to this extent.
This is just a wealthy family that came to power through force, they're not clerics and shouldn't be seen are religious leaders. If they can't handle the influx of visitors make mecca an independent nation.

Whatever problem you have with the ruling family has nothing to do with the reduction of the hajj slots.

Read well and see that the cut is for everyone's benefit.

Thereby reducing income from Tourism. Hmmmmm.

kufre2010: Lord of mercy pls let ur mercy b surfficient for this poor country Nigeria. Soudi Arabia in the name of hajj are spinning money out of ignorant poor nations. Visa will cost N300,000 per person and Nigeria is alocated 76,000 slots. This means N300,000 multiply by 76,000= N22,800,000,000, Therefore Southi Arabia will make twenty two billion eight hundred million Naira this year from Nigeria selling visa. Then when the mosque is completed the allocation will return back to normal 95,000 slots. And it will be 95000 multiply with N300,000=N28,500,000,000(28 Billion 500 million naira is what Southi Arabia wil b making from Nigeria government. Oh God, in advance country govt. don't sponsor religious pilgrimage as religion is individual affairs. This money should b use to industrialise Nigeria 4 youth employment.

where in the world do you pay that much for visa?

some of you just post anyhow sha. Part of the money is spent on housing, transportation, feeding and smart local and foreign business (wo)men make their own money too.

Even if the Saudis make that much, it is no business of yours nor are we complaining. The satisfaction derived from having carried out one of the pillars of Islam is good enough.