2023: Kaduna issues new Hajj guidelines

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency on Tuesday launched a reviewed curriculum (Hajj training manual) and guide for the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The reviewed guide was published in 2015, while the curriculum, meant for training pilgrims, was published in 2019 in Hausa, but were now all reviewed in English language.

The review, carried out by a constituted 12-man committee by the Agency, comprised clerics and officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, among others.

Speaking at the preview and launch of the guide and curriculum, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, said the guide was aimed at correcting previous mistakes and ensuring clarity in Hajj performance.

He also said that the reviewed curriculum was to ensure harmony in Hajj, while standing on unambiguous school of thoughts and strict prophetic ideals.

Arrigassiyu said the former pilgrims training and enlightenment manual and the pilgrims guide had been in use for over two decades.

He noted that the Agency would reproduce copies of the work for distribution to prospective pilgrims and pilgrim trainers.

He also noted that the manuals and guide were upgraded in line with global best practices and current knowledge.

Arrigasiyyu further said the agency would advertise to the general public for those interested in a standardised pilgrims training to apply and be screened for the ad hoc duty of training.

“The admitted trainers will then be trained by the commitee before they go on to train intending pilgrims,” he said.

The Executive Secretary thanked the Kaduna State Government for its support to the agency, which he said earned the agency top rating among the best in 2022 Hajj operations.