Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has called on pilgrims board agencies to conduct a special enlightenment programme to intending pilgrims on Saudi Arabian currency denominations.
The National Coordinator of IHR, Ibrahim Muhammad, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
Muhammad said that the call became necessary as it would educate Nigerian Pilgrims on currency denominations especially on the exchange rates between US dollars and Saudi Riyal.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the payment of 2025 Hajj BTA via cash payment in US dollars.
“We call on states Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions to organise a special enlightenment programme.
“The programme will help in educating Nigerian Pilgrims on currency denominations especially on the exchange rates between US dollars and Saudi Riyal,” he said.
According to him, most of the Nigerian pilgrims are not conversant with foreign currencies especially US dollars and the Saudi currency.
“They can hardly identify the value of each denomination unless they are guided during hajj, where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims engage in financial transactions.
“Given the above, Nigerian pilgrims should also be shown the Saudi currency denomination so that they can be able to identify such whenever they need to change US dollars or make a purchase using either of the two currency denominations.
“This call is important due to past experiences where some dubious Saudi-based individuals shortchanged our dear pilgrims whenever they make purchases or try to convert their BTA to US dollars,” he said.
The national coordinator said that Nigerian female pilgrims who patronise unregulated dental services to change their teeth as soon as they arrive in Madinah are more vulnerable to being shortchanged.
He also pleaded with airlines to use the onboard educational system to educate pilgrims on the same subject as a corporate social responsibility,.
He said that it would help to mitigate the risks of financial losses on the part of intending pilgrims.
“Understanding denomination in today’s currency circulation is crucial as it serves as the foundation of all monetary transactions worldwide.
“It will enable pilgrims to comprehend the value of their BTA,” he said.
