(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - About 3000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will not be able to perform this year's Hajj, THISDAY has learnt.
Also, the last batch of the 93,000 official Nigerian pilgrims going for this year's hajj have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
THISDAY checks revealed that those, who were unable to make the journey faced problems ranging from incomplete payment of fares, payment to wrong personnel and their inability to secure visas.
Similarly, the bulk of those affected are intending international pilgrims who paid their fares through travel agencies and tour operators that have no connection with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Giving an insight into NAHCO's operation Monday, the Permanent Commissioner in charge of operations, Abdullahi Mohammed Mukhtar, said all the initial challenges faced by the commission have been overcome, which led to the successful take off of the pilgrims.
He said with the preparations put in place by the commission, he is confident this year's exercise will be conducted smoothly.
Meanwhile, Saudi authorities Monday began major move to deport aliens who have been residing in the kingdom illegally ahead of the official start of this year's hajj.
The Governor of Mecca, Prince Khalid al-Faisal, said government will develop residential districts occupied by the aliens as such they need to be moved out.
He, however, said social and humanitarian issues will be considered before the immigrants are deported to their countries of origin.
He added that the Saudi government has implemented a number of new projects and introduced new services for the welfare of pilgrims.
The new projects include full scale operation of the Mashair railway, which is set to transport more than 500,000 pilgrims this year, new fire proof tents in Arafat and Muzdalifah and new municipality. Services to improve cleanliness in Makkah and other holy sites.
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Also, the last batch of the 93,000 official Nigerian pilgrims going for this year's hajj have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
THISDAY checks revealed that those, who were unable to make the journey faced problems ranging from incomplete payment of fares, payment to wrong personnel and their inability to secure visas.
Similarly, the bulk of those affected are intending international pilgrims who paid their fares through travel agencies and tour operators that have no connection with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Giving an insight into NAHCO's operation Monday, the Permanent Commissioner in charge of operations, Abdullahi Mohammed Mukhtar, said all the initial challenges faced by the commission have been overcome, which led to the successful take off of the pilgrims.
He said with the preparations put in place by the commission, he is confident this year's exercise will be conducted smoothly.
Meanwhile, Saudi authorities Monday began major move to deport aliens who have been residing in the kingdom illegally ahead of the official start of this year's hajj.
The Governor of Mecca, Prince Khalid al-Faisal, said government will develop residential districts occupied by the aliens as such they need to be moved out.
He, however, said social and humanitarian issues will be considered before the immigrants are deported to their countries of origin.
He added that the Saudi government has implemented a number of new projects and introduced new services for the welfare of pilgrims.
The new projects include full scale operation of the Mashair railway, which is set to transport more than 500,000 pilgrims this year, new fire proof tents in Arafat and Muzdalifah and new municipality. Services to improve cleanliness in Makkah and other holy sites.
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