THE HAJJ SUBSIDY DISCOURSE.

PREAMBLE

The Islamic Religion in built on Five Pillars, one of which is the observance and practice of the ritual of Hajj. In the Holy Qur’an Chapter 3 verse 97, Allah (SWT) Says,” Pilgrimage (to mecca) Thereto is a duty men owe to Allah, for those who can afford the Journey. But if any deny faith, Allah (SWT) stands in need from any of his creatures:-

Additionally the Holy Prophet (SAW) is reported in a Hadith to have said,” Allah made the observance of Hajj obligatory on you, so observe it”

The performance ritual of Hajj on Muslims at least once in a lifetime therefore becomes an obligatory religious duty to all Muslims.

INTRODUCTION.

In the strictest economic definition the financial commitment of Govt to the Hajj operations does not qualify as subsidy, this is so because subsidies are supposed to economically encourage sales, keep down costs, encourage expansion or achieve self reliance in some kind of economic activity. In my opinion therefore, the best fitting phrase will be, Government financial assistance or Aid to Hajj operations. Seen in this context it would be hard to point the fault of Govt. assistance to its citizens in the obligatory performance of a religion duty. More so when these citizens constitute a little more than half of its 140 million Population.

The Planning & structure of the Hajj operation is a huge operational and logistical task for the National Hajj Commission, from airlift timelines, consular issues travel documentation, health & spiritual (Guides) etc until every pilgrim in returned back home.

Being a spiritual journey, the patience of pilgrims more often than not, is stretched to the limit. The reasons not limited to the fact that most are embarking on this trip for the first time in their lives after years of saving their earnings on what they truly believe is a Journey of a lifetime.

(A). THE ECONOMICS

Earlier it was shown that, by definition the Govt. only gives financial and operational assistance and not subsidy. This is so because, the Hajj ritual is not an economic or financial profit venture, but a personal spiritual journey that Govt. in a benevolent manner decides to lessen some of the hardships encountered by its citizens.

Secondly, despite the fact that arrangements can take considerable amount of time, the actual ritual itself is just about week, and the whole trip for all the pilgrims, about a month.

Thirdly, over the years, a vast array of integrated business ventures have evolved around the Hajj Operations in Airline and Travel that are Nigerian owned & operated, employing thousands of Nigeria citizens and sustained over the years for the fact that it is an obligatory yearly ritual.

(B). THE SPIRITUAL

Nigerians to say the least, are very spiritual. They usually take issues of religion more serious than even State Policy.

For Muslims, the Hajj is One of the Five pillars of Islam and a spiritual journey that every Muslim must undertake at least once in a lifetime.

If Govt. wants a slice of the spiritual pie, it must be seen to be making some contribution to its baking. How could the same Govt. that seeks the prayers of its citizens and religious leaders withdraw from assisting them (citizens) in one of the most profound obligatory religious ritual? Moreover, it profits Govt. more, if by this subsidy the ritual of Hajj becomes more easily attainable and lessen the hardship and difficulties, often encountered by pilgrims.

THE SOCIAL (POLITICAL) ISSUES

The 2011 Hajj has been adjudged by the pilgrims, the Saudi Govt. and diverse stakeholders to be the best organized in recent times. However, the Govt. has been reluctant (surprisingly) to publicly take due credit and advantage of this success, more so been that this Hajj operation was conducted under the leadership of a Christian political Head.

The foremost political issue to consider regarding the pros of the Hajj subsidy is that Muslims number more than half the population of 140 million Nigerians domiciled in 5 of the 7 geo-political zones. To any politician, acquiring the goodwill of such number would be a dream come true. On the flipside, upsetting the status- quo of rendering Govt. Assistance to faith based rituals in any of Nigeria’s two Major religions would be a political disaster difficult to manage. Here, it is important to mention despite the subsidy’ there has never been a year the Federal Govt. has not increased Hajj Fares, yet it passes hardly without a whimper by Muslims, this is to because more often than not the state Govts. take it upon themselves to carry the financial difference wherever there is an increase. It is not difficult to see why. Pilgrims usually pay airfares and are airlifted to and from the holy land pronged on a state of origin basis.

PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS (STATUS-QUO )

It would not take a genius to decode the issue of the moment in Nigerian polity is a 7 letter word “subsidy”. The Majority Public Opinion of course is opposite of Govt. intention. The debate has brought divisions that are deep and contentious. Just like previous debates on the fuel subsidy, Govt. is looking at the matter solely on the financial figures. If the contemplation of the removal of Fuel subsidy could evoke such bitter and passionate arguments with daily threats of mass strikes, it begs the question, is the timing for the removal of hajj subsidy right?

Does Govt. not have more than enough on its plate already in terms of Public discontent?.

Will Govt. be able to take on the predictable antagonistic sermons of religions leaders to their followers of a Govt. that has the plans of relinquishing its responsibilities to its citizens in matters of faith? If Govt. cannot provide relief for its citizens to perform a religious ritual that happens once every year, what are the expectations of citizens in the provision of basic services promised by the Govt.

EPILOGUE

The Hajj ritual undoubtedly the only singular event in Nigeria that relocates over 100,000 Nigerians at one time, to another country and brings them back home after about 4 weeks. In the 50 years, this operation was broken only once at the instance of the Saudi Govt. The Federal Govt. Of Nigerian has duty to cater to the well being and dignity of its citizens within and outside its shores. The spiritual Nature of this ritual for over 100,000 citizens will not be clearer until Govt. continues as it has always done to assist and aid its citizens in the peaceful, organized conduct of the Hajj.