Kaduna admit mix gender accomodation in Makkah, attributes reason to fewer number of female pilgrims

Kaduna admit mix gender accomodation in Makkah, attributes reason to fewer number of female pilgrims

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (KSPWA) today addressed recent media reports concerning the accommodation of male and female pilgrims in the same hotel in Makkah, denouncing them as mischievous and a misrepresentation of facts.

The Agency wishes to clarify the situation and reassure the public of its unwavering commitment to the welfare, comfort, and religious sensitivities of all Kaduna pilgrims.

The Agency notes with concern the article circulated by "Hajj Reporters" and wishes to categorically state that the narrative appears to be a deliberate attempt to smear the image of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency. The Agency's dedicated media team for Hajj 2025 is readily available and has always been accessible to respond to inquiries from media outlets, making the claim of "unsuccessful" attempts to reach a Public Relations Officer questionable.

It is crucial to emphasize that Kaduna State has historically been a pioneer in ensuring gender-segregated accommodation during Hajj. Indeed, Kaduna was the first state in Nigeria to implement and consistently maintain the separation of female and male pilgrim accommodations in Makkah, a policy rooted in our deep respect for religious and moral principles. This long-standing commitment underscores our agency's dedication to upholding the highest standards of pilgrim welfare.

The KSPWA understands and acknowledges the concerns raised by some female pilgrims and their relatives. We share their commitment to upholding religious and moral standards, especially in the holy city of Makkah. Nonetheless, it is pertinent to explain that it is not possible to hire accommodation that will cater to an exact number of female pilgrims or an exact number of male pilgrims. So, in some hotels, some floors may have to be occupied by males while other floors are occupied by females. In such situations, measures are taken to ensure that mixing of males and females is avoided. There is only one of the six hotels in which Kaduna State Pilgrims are accommodated that had the challenge of accommodating males and females in the same building, and they were adequately separated.

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency remains dedicated to providing a seamless and spiritually enriching Hajj experience for all its pilgrims. We urge the public to disregard misleading reports and rely on verified information from official channels.

Yunusa Mohammed Abdullahi

 Public Relations Officer,

 Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency

+966 592533545

+234-8034506660

Yunusa M. Abdullahi
Public Relations Officer,
Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency
Katsina Road, Kaduna
+234-8034506660
yunusabdullahi@gmail.com