The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, says the Saudi Arabia authorities have threatened to fine Nigeria, if the ban on pregnant women is breached.

The Commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi, disclosed this on Wednesday in a Hausa programme aired by a private radio station in Kaduna.

 He explained that the law had been there for a long time and would be sustained and enforced this year, reiterated that pregnant women will not be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s hajj.

“We will not allow any woman with pregnancy, no matter how small it is, to travel. This law has been there for a long time. Even though some pilgrims breached it in the past, this time around, we will make sure pregnant women never travel.

“The Saudi authorities have also warned us against allowing pregnant women to travel. In fact, they threatened to fine us if we go against the law,” he said.

The chairman further appealed to pregnant women planning to perform pilgrimage to shelve their plan for their safety and that of their unborn babies.

Arabi also cautioned Nigerians from sponsoring elderly people who may find it difficult to perform hajj.

He said preparations were on top gear, and that the commission would commence airlift on May 15, 2024, with Kebbi pilgrims, saying the airlines would avoid Sudan airspace due to the ongoing conflict in that country, saying over 65,000 intending pilgrims will perform the exercise this year.

He also hoped that the majority of the pilgrims would land in Madina, instead of Jidda, this year.

He appealed to all the intending pilgrims to abide by the rules of the holy land, saying this is a very important journey for every Muslim.