Hajj stakeholders have urged journalists selected to cover the upcoming 2026 Hajj operations to uphold professionalism for effective reportage of the spiritual exercise.
The stakeholders made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the National Media Team by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
An Islamic scholar, Abdullahi Musa, said that members of the media team had been saddled with the responsibility of truthfulness, justice and fairness in their reportage.
Musa said that the role of media was to propagate the truth.
“This is from the Islamic point of view. We represent Islam. So, we can only see things from the perspective of Islam.
“Wherever you are as a media personnel, as long as you are a Muslim, then you have to remind yourself that you are a Muslim first.
“That prefix of you being a Muslim is what defines the role that you play in your respective profession. So, as a Muslim media personality, it means that Islam is foremost in whatever you do.
“The main role of media is to propagate the truth. Leave that which you are in doubt of to that which you are not doubting,” he said.
Also speaking, Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, NAHCON’s Commissioner, Planning. Research, Information, Statistics and Library Services (PRSILS), described the media team as one of the most important committees for the Hajj operations.
According to Yagawal, it is only through the media that the public will see what is going on in all the areas of Hajj operations.
“Here at home or abroad, people rely basically on you. And it is from you that they know exactly what is happening in Hajj operations,” he said.
He urged the media team to report all that happen in areas of accommodation, feeding, and all other activities in the operations.
“I appeal on you to fear Allah in performing your duty, and please report what is good, but what is bad you can please advise us so that we can correct it,” he said.
Prince Anofiu Elegushi, NAHCON’s Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing (OIL), urged the journalists to avoid sensationalism and fake news in their reportage.
Elegushi said that the journalists were representatives of Nigeria, advising that they should exhibit professionalism and moral conducts in the discharge of their duties.