CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF HAJJ OPERATIONS IN NASARAWA STATE (1996-2012)

The word Hajj is mentioned several times in the Qur’an referring to it as a holy duty. Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam. Its obligation is established on the authorities of the Qur’anHadith and Ijma’. Thus, there is an accord among the Jurists on the obligation of Hajj at least once in a lifetime by a qualified Muslim who has the means. And as a religious duty, it has does and don’t which is guided by several rules for its observance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the general performance of Hajj operations in Nasarawa state, to make recommendations for effectiveness. The problems facing Hajj operations in Nasarawa State are many and varied. And according to valuable findings of this paper among these problems include poor funding, Limited infrastructures, lack of expertise and corruption, which is evident by poor Hajj operation in the state in recent years. And these have been blamed on the federal government that is solely responsible for contracting of the air crafts for intending pilgrims in all states of the Federation of which their services are so epileptic, not promising at all. The method for data collection employed was Interviews and Content analysis (i.e., using focus group discussion and reviewing of various hajj commissions’ reports of their operation year in year out). From the valuable findings, this paper recommends that there should be enlightenment by the state government through the use of media and all with the help of all tiers of government with the collaboration of non-governmental organizations for the proper education of does and don’t of hajj rituals been one of the pillars of Islam. Moreover, the paper recommends that the directorate of the hajj affair should hasten to see that printing and minting company to print passport on time as well as the provision of air tickets to avoid delay among others.