Saudi service provider says Nigerians will get better hajj experience in 2024

Ahmad Abbas Sindi, chairman of the Mutawwif Company for Pilgrims of African Non-Arab Countries, says plans are in place to ensure that Nigerians have a better hajj experience in 2024.

Sindi made the promise on Saturday when he was hosted by Jalal Arabi, chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The meeting, which held at the Hajj House in Abuja, was attended by some secretaries of state pilgrims welfare boards, executives and members of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON).

The meeting addressed concerns regarding services during the 2023 hajj and outlined plans for the 2024 hajj, particularly in the areas of feeding, transportation, space allocation, security, and refunds.

Arabi stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in finding solutions to the issues encountered during this year’s hajj, and ensuring better services for Nigerian pilgrims in subsequent years.

“As partners, we are here to discuss, collaborate, engage, and interact with the aim of nurturing this partnership. The 2023 Hajj has gone, and the 2024 Hajj is approaching. Therefore, it is essential to address all details and ensure a smoother experience than what was achieved in the past,” Arabi said.

In response, Sindi said efforts and commitments have been made to improve service delivery in Mina and Arafat, citing changes in manpower, systems, and control of the Arafat project.

He also highlighted plans to enhance toilet facilities and their distribution.

In terms of catering, he said: “We have engaged vendors to source produce from Nigeria and hired Nigerian cooks to ensure that meals served during the Masha’ir align with Nigerian tastes.

“We are fully committed to implementing these improvements and ensuring efficient food delivery from the kitchen to the tents. We promise a remarkable Hajj in 2024, Insha Allah.”

Regarding transportation, he pointed out that arrangements have been made to increase the frequency of shuttle buses between Mina, Muzdalifa, Arafat, and Makkah to address previous transportation issues.

According to Sindi, the bus services would operate 24 hours to accommodate pilgrims.