Hajj: Masari warns officials against cheating intending pilgrims

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has warned all officials of the state’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board not to cheat intending pilgrims entrusted in their care during the 2017 Hajj .

The governor gave the warning during a farewell ceremony for the pilgrims on Monday in Katsina.

The governor who was representative by his Deputy, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, said that the state government would deal decisively with any official found engaged in fraudulent practice.

“Any official caught tampering with the Basic Travelling Allowances of the pilgrims or who indulges in any shoddy deal will be severely dealt with.

“We are calling on the intending pilgrims not to stage any demonstration if they are cheated or neglected in the Holy Land.

“The intending pilgrims should report the officials to the appropriate authority and action would be taken against such act.” he said

He advised all the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and the country in general.

Masari also called on the pilgrims to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and the peace and progress of the country.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the board, Alhaji Salisu Ado, said that 4, 930 intending pilgrims would perform this year’s hajj from Katsina State.

Ado called on intending pilgrims not carry Kolanuts or any form of hard drugs along with them, stressing that anyone caught with prohibited items would be punished by the Saudi authority.

It was reported that Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims who have the means are expected to perform the pilgrimage at least once in a life time.