Borno Pilgrims flock Saudi Arabian markets for gifts and souvenirs despite Naira devaluation
Borno Pilgrims making purchases in one of the shops in Macca, Saudi Arabia
By Dauda Iliya
One of the distinctive features of pilgrimage to the Holy Land, is how pilgrims flock to shopping malls and markets in Macca and Jidda at the end of the spitual exercise to buy presents and gifts for their loved ones.
Despite the financial stress and decline in the value of Naira, Borno state pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for 2024 Hajj inundate shops and markets in pursuit of souvenirs and gifts for families and friends.
In this report, Correspondent Dauda Iliya sampled the views of some pilgrims in Macca on why they are keen to buy the items despite the cost.
Shops, Malls and markets witness a great turnout of pilgrims especially Nigerians searching for diverse products and items like clothing, perfumes, traditional artifacts, prayer rugs and other unique items.
One will expect that with the economic hardship in the county and decline in the value of Naira against the United States dollar and Saudi riyal, the market patronage will be low.
This was however not the case, as some pilgrims from Borno state said they make purchases on a daily basis to meet up with the huge family expectations at home.
They decried that the items are more expensive in the Holy Land, but are willing to make the sacrifice to ensure they put smiles on the faces of their loved ones upon their return.
“The items are more cheaper in Nigeria, but you know it has become a culture ingrained in us, who so ever visits the Holy land particularly first timers like myself most take home gifts to family and friends. If I see anything that’s attracts my attention, I will buy but not because its cheap ” Fatima said.
“This item you see am holding cost 40 Saudi riyal which is equivalent to about twenty thousand naira. Its not cheap at all but I have no option than to buy” Ruqayya stated.
” As you can see, pilgrims are buying alot of items to take home as gifts, but the fall in the value of naira is really draining us. In fact, the products are cheaper in Maiduguri, but do you expect me to go my family empty-handed, I must make purchases no matter how expenses ” Aliyu remarked.
However, this pilgrim from Borno State Abatcha Umar said he will hold on to his remaining basic travel allowance and buy all the items he needed in Maiduguri.
“A single full length male garment (jallabiya) cost 100 Saudi Riyal which is close to 50,000 naira, its quite expensive. That’s is I am preparing when I go back to my home town, I will buy the gifts at normal price” Umar said.
A lecturer with the Department of Economics University of Maiduguri, Professor Jibrin Talba said the exchange rate has distributional impact on the purchasing power of the pilgrims.
According to him, instead of spending huge amount of money on gifts, they should channel the resources on buying legal items that has economic value and then use the proceeds to buy the souvenirs upon their return.
“The can take the little cash they have and when they returned home, they can visit wholesale or dealers where it will be relatively cheaper when compared to their prices in Saudi Arabia. This are some of the measures pilgrims can adopt in order to reduce the negative effect in the fall of the Naira” Talba advised.
Acting Executive Secretary, Borno state pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Mohammed Dawule said the enlightenment team of the Board has cautioned pilgrims to exercise restraints in buying unnecessary items in the Holy Land.
“Even now that they are buying things, they monitor the situation and very cautious with the economic situation back home”.
Alhaji Dawule expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the pilgrims, urging them to judiciously spend their money on items that would be beneficial to them and their families.
