Following the changes which came with the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions of large gatherings to prevent spikes, Hajj operators have said they are planning to fit into the new system.
The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, South West zone, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting at Ansar-Ud-Deen Central mosque, Surulere Lagos, where they stated plans to educate all licensed operators and pilgrims for the post COVID-19 Hajj and Umrah tours.
A statement by the association quoted the Deputy Vice President of the association, Alhaja Mariam Popoola, as saying that the meeting followed the need to strategise for the new normal ushered in by COVID-19 pandemic which kept all members of AHUON out of work for two seasons.
“We want a situation where all licensed tour operators will come together to discuss issues of common ground to us. COVID-19 has affected us so much that, for the last two years, we have not been allowed to go for Hajj. For some of us who do not do any other work apart from Umrah and Hajj, it means we are not working.
“COVID-19 came with new rules; so a lot of things have to be done online and biometric is now being introduced. As parts of the effort to encourage underprivileged Muslims to perform Hajj, Hajj Saving Scheme been introduced.”
Source: Punch
