HAJJ OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION: THE CASE FOR BETTER ACCOMMODATION

Bismillahi ArRahman ArRahim

PERSPECTIVE AND PURPOSE

This paper will seek to examine the operational challenges in Hajj Administration especially as it relates to the subject matter of accommodation in Mecca & Medina and the recurring yearly state of affairs in the living arrangements at Minna.

The objective will be that at the end of this presentation our position will create the premise for an engaging and healthy debate that will ultimately proffer solution to the inconveniences of our pilgrims in the performance of the 2012 and subsequent hajj operations.

1. WHERE WE ARE: THE STATUS QUO. (A) (Makka & Madina)

The achievements witnessed during the 2011 Hajj operations were no doubt the result of a seamless synergy between the Hajj Commission and the relevant stakeholders, most importantly but not limited to; the state pilgrims boards. However even as we celebrate these achievements it is important for us to make sure that our preparation for the 2012 operations result in meeting our vision of providing efficient and effective service to our pilgrims.

It has become painfully obvious that the condition of the living quarters of our pilgrims especially in Makkah needs to be addressed. I believe we are all in agreement that the logistical nightmare, the health and environmental hazards and personal inconvenience our pilgrims encounter in every hajj has a direct connection with the state of the accommodation they are provided. As a spiritual journey every pilgrim prepares for certain inconveniences in personal comfort no doubt, however looking at the challenges that we have been able to surmount in the 2011 hajj operation, together we can also improve on the accommodation arrangements in the 2011 Hajj operations.

The most vexing of the inconvenience our pilgrims have to bear in this regard is the distance between where they are quartered to the Masjid-al-Haram. More often than not it becomes quite a task commuting to perform prayers on a daily basis. Directly related to this challenge and predictably too, pilgrims became disillusioned, confused, tired and in some serious cases cannot find their way back to the residences. We as officials know this only too well.

The National Hajj Commission, as part of our mandate is greatly concerned, that as part of the fallout of the accommodation challenges is the reputation and image of the Nigerian pilgrim. It is almost at its lowest ebb. We are yet to develop a decent mapping and address system database that will provide information at a glance as to who lives where, the paths/roads, and visual displays that will greatly enhance the operational aspects of our duties thereby making the Hajj experience more convenience for the pilgrim.

Thirdly, the Hajj as Ibada has certain requirements that are obligatory. As mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith of our beloved Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), for any pilgrim that hopes his/her Ibada be acceptable, capability (Al-Ishita) is a very important condition. It is stated that being incapable makes the Hajj not obligatory to any Muslim. This of course refers to provision for expenses covering the exercise and provision for safety and security of pilgrims throughout the trip. The former is the sole responsibility of the pilgrim, but the latter is our mandate as officials that have accepted to serve this noble spiritual cause. In this regard, the safety and security of pilgrims is directly related to where they reside for the duration of their spiritual journey. Once a pilgrim is able to cover the financial expenses of his/her trip, we as officials have indirectly accepted to guarantee his safety and security. It therefore becomes our responsibility to try and secure convenient, comfortable and accessible living quarters for our pilgrims. The truth is, it even makes our own work and duties easier and forestalls the inexcusable poor accommodation arrangements that have bedeviled this aspect of Hajj.

(B) Mina

The challenges our pilgrims face for the 3 days in Mina are varied. However, one of the most critical is the condition of the sleeping arrangements. A good number of States have continued to allow their pilgrims stay in the category C tents. For all intents and purposes, these tents provide the barest of necessities. Bare floor, mats, public restrooms, congestion, and personal feeding arrangements. The Mina ritual is an important part of the Hajj operation. The degree of its complexity increases when each State pilgrim board undertake the planning individually. This action involves the performance of the same action simultaneously by each state doing more or less of the same thing, increasing its complexity and guaranteeing inconvenience by our pilgrims. Sanitary, health and security hazards are a common denominator, as a result pilgrims undergo excruciating living arrangements that we believe are inexcusable.

The challenges so far listed aforementioned are not in the least exhaustible or the most critical in the overall Hajj management operations; however a healthy debate to proffer solutions will enhance our ability and effort in the discharge of our collective functions of providing service in matters regarding the better welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

2. WHERE WE WANT TO BE: THE PROPOSAL

In the years since the establishment of the National Hajj Commission, we have enjoyed an enviable and complimentary working relationship with the State pilgrim board. It is this synergy that has translated to the improvement of the services we provide at the end of every Hajj Operation. This co-operation and input from the state pilgrim board, we will continue to seek as partners.

For each and every pilgrim, the official face and first point of convergence and response in his/her spiritual journey is the State pilgrim board. The Board as well is responsible for arranging all the travel arrangements to and from the Holy Land. The success of the pilgrimage for the pilgrim is therefore for the most part hinged on the services provided by the Board at both Local Government and State levels. The accommodation challenges, seen in this light can only be addressed with the full support and collaboration of the State Pilgrim Board.

Our preliminary studies have shown that alternative accommodation, closer to the Masjid-Al-Haram would not add to the financial expenses of the Pilgrim, if we, as service providers are able to plan early. At the most, the financial increase will be marginal. The proposition is therefore to expand energy and effort in selecting a team with the technical knowledge and requisite logistics and administrative experience to tackle this problem and make suggestions, with the condition that the alternative accommodation be accessible, closer to the Masjid, convenient in terms of better sleeping, health and sanitary conditions. This proposition identifies certain shortcomings inherent in our collective arrangements for pilgrim accommodation and seeks to collectively decide on a better alternative. As we have done recent challenges that we faced and tackled, it is not insurmountable.

During the last Hajj, we undertook small study, and made discreet inquiries on the conditions, categories and the costs of renting alternative but better tents at Mina. Category ‘B’ is a step higher than what most of our states presently are occupying, and as all of us know; are fitted with mattresses, air-conditioning, better sanitary arrangements and a feeding arrangement factored as well; for the negligible cost 700 Saudi rivals per pilgrim. Our suggestion if collectively agreed would be for these expenses to be embedded into the Hajj fare at source. We believe, intending pilgrims would not be averse to taking these modest financial expenses for the convenience of better habitable living quarters at Mina.

POSTSCRIPT

A. Early Preparations: The success or otherwise of the Nigerian Hajj operations has been largely dependent on early preparations. The complexities and the huge logistical and administrative efforts involved in the Hajj operations cannot be addressed wholesome in this presentation. However we would attempt to point out areas that relate to our earlier posts on the accommodation/residential challenges.

A forum like this one, to review performance, and propose ways and means to better ourselves and/or to redress our shortcomings in the last Hajj operations provides an excellent opportunity for all of us as stakeholders. Early preparations/planning by the States and at the National Hajj Commission is a necessity.

B REMITTANCES: To prepare early, it is absolutely necessary that all financial obligation be met latest by February. Once financial remittances are taken care of early, it gives us enough time to concentrate on other logistical preparations.

C. ORIENTATION/ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS: Any person that signifies intent of undertaking the pilgrimage must undergo an intensive orientation campaign that must go beyond the spiritual. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia as we are all aware undergoes structural development at breakdown speed, so much so that even to the experienced, sometimes it takes some time to assimilate. A multitude of our pilgrims are, as we are all aware making this trip for the first time.

Moreso, now that kingdom in its new rules; issues visa to only pilgrims on the basis of being first timers or have performed the Hajj once within a five year period.

New processes and developments must be carefully explained and if available visualized to our intending pilgrims.

CONCLUSION

Over the years we have collectively proven that together, the National Hajj Commission, the State Pilgrim Board and all relevant stakeholders can surmount the various challenges we face in the operations of the Hajj. This postulation is obvious with our recent successes in the 2011 Hajj. We know that with each Hajj are new experiences and new challenges. The will to succeed and make every hajj operation better is hinged on the synergies that are established between the different agencies and all stakeholders.

Our task as always will remain conducting all matters concerning the well-being and welfare of Nigerian Pilgrims and this task we must engage with all our ability, because this is a cause that is both spiritual and noble.