The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) held an emergency meeting on Wednesday with representatives from States’ Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Agencies, Boards, and Commissions at NAHCON’s Makkah office to address the critical need for sensitizing Nigerian pilgrims about the newly introduced Nusuk Card.
The Nusuk Card is essential for identifying pilgrims and granting them access to the Masjidul Haram and the holy sites known as Masha’er. This meeting was prompted by reports of some pilgrims being arrested or turned away from the Haram due to not carrying the card.
During the meeting, it was unanimously agreed to utilize all available methods of enlightenment, orientation, and sensitization, including the Ulama’ team, to educate pilgrims about the Nusuk Card and the importance of not misplacing it. The Makkah Coordinator emphasized the need for pilgrims to keep the card with them at all times.
The Saudi Authorities have implemented the Nusuk Card as a crowd control measure to prevent the overcrowding of Mina, where illegal pilgrims often displace legitimate ones from accommodations and feeding services. As a result, officials in the Haram have begun barring pilgrims without the Nusuk Card from entering. Some state officials testified to having already distributed the cards to their pilgrims and urged others to do the same immediately. Representatives from the Armed Forces highlighted some challenges encountered with the card’s use but stressed the importance of adopting it.
Kogi State officials reminded attendees of a prior Zoom meeting organized by NAHCON where the Nusuk Card was introduced and its adherence emphasized.
Several state officials expressed satisfaction that they had already familiarized their pilgrims with the card before departing for the Hajj.
It was also advised that state staff be stationed at all pilgrims’ accommodations to monitor and prevent intruders from exploiting vulnerable pilgrims. “Every pilgrim must safeguard his or her Nusuk Card to enter and stay in Masha’er and not other places,” officials stressed.
The meeting also covered several innovations in Hajj operations management. These include the introduction of an E-Directory, which provides all state officials with access to each other’s contacts and field office addresses, the GPS location of every state, and the activation of call centers in Makkah and Madinah. These technologies are expected to greatly simplify communication and coordination during the 2024 Hajj operations.
States were also advised to discourage their pilgrims from patronizing street eateries to avoid potential health issues.
The Passports Management Control Committee urged states to collaborate more closely with their service providers’ field offices to ensure coherent synergy and enhanced services.
