Hajj: Intending pilgrims screened in Edo, get Friday deadline for document submission

The Edo State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board has set Friday, April 25, 2024, as deadline for the submission of all documents relating to the 2024 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.

The Board’s chairman, Sheik Ibrahim Oyarekhua, gave the deadline during the screening of 197 intending pilgrims in the State.

According to him, intending pilgrims were not going to be allowed to register few days to the hajj exercise as visa would not be issued to anybody as from May 29.

“By May 29, Saudi Arabia will closed its portal for visa issuance. Anybody who has not obliged us travelling documents such as forms, international passports and other documents relating Hajj, please should do so between now and Friday, because we are closing down our portal for visa issuance on April 25.

“So, if you haven’t been captured in our e-hajj and e-track, that means we don’t have your documents. Before leaving here today, check your files. We want to beat the May 29 deadline and register all intending pilgrims on e-hajj and e-track. But, if you fail to do so, don’t blame us if you are unable to perform Hajji this year.

“As at today, 297 intending pilgrims have registered with us, but we still have issues with two passports and if you know you are one of these persons, ensure that you oblige us with your passport.”

The pilgrims Board boss said the screening was to ascertain the eligibility of the intending pilgrims whether they were physically, health-wise and religious-wise, fit to embark on the Hajj exercise.