Press Release: REFUND PILGRIMS MONEY OR FACE CONSEQUENCES 21st January 2008

Binsheikh Air Services Nigeria Limited reportedly collected about N42.3m from unsuspecting prospective pilgrims without fulfilling the terms of the contract. 94 pilgrims allegedly paid N450,000.000.00 each to this airline only to be tricked to stopover at Cotonou where they remained stranded for five days and had harrowing experiences in dehumanising situations.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is perturbed by this development. It is preposterous and callous for a Muslim to dupe and treat his fellow Muslims with such bestiality. It becomes even more alarming when it is realised that this issue arose in the area of pilgrimage which is expected to attract taqwah and godliness. It brings to focus the extent to which Nigerians can commercialise religion.

MURIC calls on Binsheikh to refund every kobo collected from the pilgrims before the middle of February 2008 failing which we will take every legitimate action possible to compel redress. We also demand a full and public explanation of the unfortunate affair from Binsheikh to be rendered at a press conference for the benefit of the victims, their families and friends as well as the general public. Binsheikh must also apologise publicly for causing the victims, their relations, friends and concerned Nigerians psychological trauma of no small dimension.

Finally, we call the attention of the Federal Government, the Federal Pilgrims Board and security agencies to the emerging phenominon of exposing innocent Nigerian pilgrims to the materialistic manouvers of private agen ts and airlines. We demand adequate protection for intending pilgrims in future.

Dr. Is-haq Akintola                                         Mallam Abdul Yakeen Williams
DIRECTOR                                                     Public Relations Officer