The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced its intention to refund $50 each to 700 pilgrims who paid for animal sacr...
The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced its intention to refund $50 each to 700 pilgrims who paid for animal sacrifices in Nigeria through the agency during the recently concluded 2024 Hajj.
According to the Chairman of the Hadaya Committee, retired AVM Muhammad Dabo, the refund is a result of a downward price review by the company responsible for slaughtering the rams in Makkah.
Out of the 1,357 pilgrims who paid through the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, only those 700 who had paid in Nigeria are eligible for the refund.
The slaughtering of animals, known as Hadaya, is an important component of Hajj rites, as pilgrims are expected to slaughter rams individually or contribute to buy a camel for slaughter.
Due to concerns of pilgrims being short-changed, a company was engaged to procure and slaughter the rams on their behalf. Initially, the company demanded 500 Riyals per ram, equivalent to about N200,000 or $150.
After negotiations, an Islamic Development Bank-accredited company agreed to collect 375 Riyals per animal, resulting in the refund of $50 each to eligible pilgrims.
The eligible pilgrims will be paid in Saudi Arabia or Nigeria, depending on their preferences. Mr. Dabo advised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to include the cost of Hadaya in the total Hajj package to protect pilgrims from unscrupulous elements.
NAN
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