The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (FMPWB), has said it would commence registration of intending pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj on March 1. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Board, Alhaji Muhammad Aliyu. According to the statement, the registration will run across the six area councils of the territory.

The statement advised intending pilgrims who wish to perform the pilgrimage through the board to present a bank draft for N700, 000. It also urged them to present their international passports which the board would use to book seats for them. It added that the board would neither entertain payment by proxy nor bulk purchase of the forms by individuals for the exercise. The statement stated that females intending pilgrims would only be registered with their male guardians (Muharam) in line with the Saudi Arabian Government’s regulations.

It said that the board had introduced measures to ensure proficiency and guard against fraud in this year’s hajj. According to the statement, the measures are aimed at ensuring transparency in the sales of the 2016 hajj forms and ensure that intending pilgrims from the territory get the best service. The statement said that the board had resolved to register intending pilgrims on first-come first-served basis, stressing that, “Priorities shall be given to first timers during the exercise. “