By Abbas Aminu Bamalli
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged all states to introduce practical demonstration of Hajj rites in the school curriculum, in order to create a future generation that will not need an education and orientation programme.
This was part of the recommendations at the end of a two day Workshop on Pilgrims’ Education and Orientation, organised by the Commission for all the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in Kano.
The communiqué signed by Dr. Aliyu Tanko, the coordinator of the workshop also suggested that all the States in the country that do not have separate Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board should establish them in order to aid the proper education and orientation of their pilgrims, who are also the nation’s ambassadors.
According to the communiqué, all states have also been called to establish Pilgrim and Orientation Centres in all Local Government Areas and should appoint one permanent Pilgrim Education Officer at the local government and the State, to coordinate and supervise the centres.
The communiqué further recommended that the uniform and standard Hajj Education and Orientation Manual drafted by the workshop should be used by the States, adding that basic knowledge of Islam, especially Hajj rites should be a requirement for allocating Hajj seats to any intending pilgrim.
“Women pilgrims are particularly urged to obey the rules of social conduct and the proper clothing prescribed by Islam, in the course of their normal Hajj activities, at home and in the Holyland. And all
State and Federal officials involved in Hajj operations must carry out their duties with fear of Allah and to the best of their abilities”, it said.
