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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned all Nigerian pilgrims not to perform Hajj if they do not have the Nusuk card.
NAHCON Makkah coordinator Aliyu Tanko gave the warning at a press conference on Thursday.
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He urged pilgrims to ensure they possess the mandatory card before the haj rituals begin next Thursday.
Tanko stressed that pilgrims should prioritize obtaining the card to avoid interruptions or disqualifications from participating in the sacred exercise.
“The Saudi authorities take the issue of the Nusuk card seriously. He must have it upon arrival in Mecca, otherwise he will not be allowed to perform the hajj and will face the wrath of the law in Saudi Arabia, which includes serving a jail sentence and a fine.
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“That’s why I urge all pilgrims to make sure they protect their Nusuk cards and those who don’t have them should make sure they get theirs before the Hajj days begin.”
He said no pilgrim will be allowed to enter Minna without the card.
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Nusuk’s ID Card
The Nusuk pilgrim card was introduced by the Saudi authorities in April 2024.
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According to the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the card aims to increase the efficiency of operational procedures for the upcoming Hajj season to make the pilgrimage much easier and simplified, as well as reduce the cases of carrying out Hajj in an illegal manner.
“It is designed to be easy to read automatically.
“The card makes it easier for Hajj workers to identify and verify the identity of each pilgrim, and also helps prevent unauthorized persons from entering the holy sites, thus ensuring the safety of all pilgrims.
Punishment of defaulters
According to Saudi authorities, any pilgrim caught without the Nusuk card will serve a 10-year prison sentence, pay a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals and be banned from performing future hajj for a period of 10 years.
Nusuk card run
Although all legal pilgrims are expected to receive the card upon arrival, some Nigerian pilgrims did not receive it.
PREMIUM TIMES spoke to some Nigerian pilgrims who said they are yet to obtain their Nusuk card.
“When we arrived, some of us were given the bus card, but others were not given theirs. They told us they would come and give it to us. We are still waiting.
“We complained to some NAHCON officials and fortunately they said they are talking to those responsible and we will soon receive our cards,” said one of the pilgrims.
Pilgrims applaud NAHCON for the continued awareness about the importance of the Nusuk card and all the efforts they are making to secure it for those who did not obtain it.
“We have presented our complaint to NAHCON and they have responded. “They told us we would receive ours soon because we are legal pilgrims.”
More than 47,000 pilgrims have been flown to Saudi Arabia by NAHCON, of the approximately 65,000 expected to perform this year’s Hajj from Nigeria.
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