As the December 31 2023 deadline for payment of the 2024 Hajj fare in Edo State swiftly approaches, the implications of a last-minute struggle to meet this crucial financial obligation have garnered significant attention. The impending cutoff date has ushered in a myriad of concerns, signaling potential challenges for intending pilgrims who find themselves amidst a time-sensitive and demanding preparation phase.
Some of the concerns occasioned by the December 31 deadline for Payment of the Hajj Fare are enumerated as follows:
Firstly, there is financial constraints and stress. Last-minute struggles often stem from financial constraints. Prospective pilgrims grappling with insufficient funds or unforeseen financial hurdles encounter heightened stress as they endeavor to gather the necessary resources within a limited timeframe. The urgency to secure funds adds pressure and anxiety to an already intricate process.
According to some of the intending pilgrims who expressed their concerns, the high rate of the Hajj Fare for the coming year and the December deadline is worrisome and will obviously affect many.
A source said:”N4.5million as an initial deposit is a huge amount of money that is not easy especially right now in Nigeria. I had the plan to pay for my wife but as it right now, I’m not sure how we can make it”
Secondly, administrative burdens and time constraints. Meeting administrative requirements within a compressed timeline presents a formidable challenge. The rush to gather and submit necessary documentation, navigate bureaucratic processes, and comply with stringent guidelines amplifies the burden on intending pilgrims. Any delays or errors in administrative procedures risk exclusion from the pilgrimage.
It is important to mention that some of the intending pilgrims do not usually get the necessary traveling documents like passport and others readily available until at a later time of the year, even after the individual has made payment. Majority of them are elderly who do not travel frequently. This also poses a challenge to the board’s officials while trying to meet deadline in registration and submission of intending pilgrims’ traveling document.
According to the chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Shiekh Ibrahim Oyarekhua, “imagine a case of an intending pilgrim who made part payment into the account of the Edo State Muslim pilgrims welfare without the necessary registration detail. No information as to who he/she is or who the person has paid for”
Thirdly, there are logistical complications and uncertainties. Last-minute preparations pose logistical challenges, including securing travel arrangements, accommodations, and transportation. The scramble to organize these essential elements amidst time constraints heightens the risk of encountering unavailability of space, potentially impacting the overall Hajj experience.
Sheikh Ibrahim also noted, “during the 2023 Hajj, over 20-thousand Nigerians could not get bed spaces in Minna and this was due to the fact that issuance of visa was still going on few days before Arafat day” This and many other similar experiences formed why the Saudi Arabia Hajj Authority wants to make sure there is early preparation, henceforth so as to address the many issues as were experienced in the past.
Fourthly, there is community support and guidance. The role of community support becomes pivotal during these moments of struggle. Collaborative efforts from community leaders, religious bodies, and Hajj boards across the 36-states in Nigeria are crucial in providing guidance, support, and potential solutions to alleviate the stress faced by individuals navigating last-minute challenges.
This is why the board seeks the collaboration from Imams and Islamic organizations to provide guidance to the intending pilgrims.
Recently in Edo State, the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board held an awareness meeting with Imams, Heads of religious organizations and other stakeholders to discuss the developments in the Hajj operations especially as it concerns the 2024 Hajj.
These meetings were held at Arafat Mosque, Auchi in Edo North on Thursday 16, November 2023 and at the board’s premises at Domez road in Edo South on Wednesday 15 November 2023 respectively.
Finally, the impact on spiritual preparedness. The rush and stress induced by last-minute struggles can impede the spiritual preparedness of intending pilgrims. The Hajj is a deeply significant and spiritually enriching journey, and undue stress during preparation may detract from the overall spiritual experience.
Such undue stress is also not good for the officials who are working in the boards to ensure smooth arrangement for the intending pilgrims.
The implications of grappling with last-minute struggles to meet the December 31 deadline for payment of the 2024 Hajj fare in Edo State underscore the multifaceted challenges faced by intending pilgrims as well as other stakeholders in the Hajj operation. Financial constraints, administrative burdens, logistical complications, reliance on community support, and the potential impact on spiritual readiness collectively emphasize the need for proactive planning and early preparations.
Efforts to mitigate these challenges involve early financial planning, proactive administrative compliance, seeking guidance from community networks, and ensuring sufficient time for logistical arrangements. By addressing these concerns proactively, intending pilgrims can alleviate the stress of last-minute struggles, ensuring a smoother and more spiritually fulfilling Hajj preparation process.
