Muslim pilgrims from Zamfara are to benefit from a juicy welfare package during the 2017 Hajj exercise, the Chairman of the state Hajj Commission, Alhaji Abubakar Danko, has said.
He said the commission had commenced early preparations for the state’s intending pilgrims to ensure their comfort while discharging the annual religious obligation.
“I have already led a delegation to Saudi Arabia and signed agreements with various bodies that will handle some of the pilgrims’ activities, especially with regards to transportation,” he said.
He said that unlike before, intending pilgrims from the state would now be transported in executive double deck buses fitted with toilet facilities.
“ We have already agreed with the transporters that the buses would transport Zamfara pilgrims from arrival to departure; that is, from Jeddah Airport to Madinah, then to Makkah as well as Mina and Arafat and back to the airport after the Hajj exercise is completed,’’ he said.
On feeding arrangements, Danko said only reputable caterers, who have a bank deposit of at least two million Saudi Riyals, would be engaged to serve pilgrims from the state.
“This is to ensure that none of our pilgrims is left hungry while performing the Hajj rites,’’ he said.
The chairman also said adequate arrangements were being made to ensure that pilgrims from the state were accommodated close to the two Holy Masjids in Madinah and Makkah.
He, however, appealed to intending pilgrims to cooperate with the commission’s officials in order to ensure a successful exercise.