Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ibrahim Ramalan
Published on 2024-03-26 11:42:25
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has acknowledged the shortage of Ramadan umrah visas for Nigerians and is actively working to resolve the issue. Mrs. Fatima Sanda-Usara, the Assistant Director of Public Affairs at NAHCON, addressed the challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining umrah visas for travel to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan in a statement released in Abuja.
Mrs. Sanda-Usara explained that the shortage of visas was a result of the misuse of privileges granted in the visa issuance process. Visas for umrah travel are allocated to countries based on quotas, with Ramadan Umrah visas typically being more expensive. Recently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extended the validity of visas to 90 days, allowing Nigerians to secure visas at lower costs during other periods with the intention of performing umrah during Ramadan. However, some individuals exploited this extension by either prolonging their stays in the kingdom or holding onto visas until Ramadan, leading to a shortage of available visa slots for other Nigerians.
The high demand for umrah visas during Ramadan has exacerbated the shortage, preventing many Nigerians from fulfilling their religious obligations. Mrs. Sanda-Usara assured that efforts were underway to address the problem. NAHCON has officially communicated its concerns to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and outlined the implications of the visa shortage to Nigerian Tour Operators. Chairman Jalal Arabi personally visited the Saudi Embassy in Nigeria to explore potential solutions to the issue.
NAHCON is committed to resolving the shortage of Ramadan umrah visas for Nigerians and ensuring that individuals can participate in religious obligations without hindrance. The organization continues to work towards finding a solution to the issue and facilitating the process of obtaining visas for umrah travel during Ramadan.
Overall, NAHCON’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining Ramadan umrah visas reflects its dedication to facilitating religious travel and pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims. Through ongoing efforts and communication with relevant authorities, NAHCON aims to alleviate the shortage of visas and enable more Nigerians to participate in umrah during the holy month of Ramadan.
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