A civil society organisation that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities, Independent Hajj Reporters, has urged governments to subsidise the differences in the prices of air tickets for 2023 pilgrims.
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a $250 increase in flight tickets for 2023 pilgrims due to closure of Sudan airspace because of the war.
Read Also: How Sanwo-Olu changed hajj operation, by Jebe
A statement by National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, reads: “We are appealing to governments to liaise with NAHCON and offer to settle the differences for the number of pilgrims from their states in the event Sudan airspace remains closed before airlifting starts.
“We appeal that the Federal Government takes 50 per cent while states pay the balance.”
“While we commend the Federal Government’s efforts in evacuating Nigerians from Sudan, we appeal to the government to extend the same gesture to pilgrims by subsidising 2023 Hajj air ticket.”