The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has scheduled 9 June for the commencement of return flights for Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2025 Hajj. The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, announced this in a statement in Minna on Friday while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice. Saleh said, ‘All praise …

The Lagos State government, yesterday, commenced free medical screening for 2025 Hajj-intending pilgrims to check their health status, address any health challenges and get treated before going for pilgrimage. The state government, however, warned that those who fail the screening might not be allowed to travel for the Hajj. Speaking during the Free Medical Screening for intending pilgrims organised by …

The Edo Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has instructed 2025 Hajj pilgrims to pay an initial deposit of N8.4 million each, pending the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON) final announcement. The board’s chairman, Sheikh Ibrahim Oyarekhua, gave the directive on Sunday during a chat with journalists in Benin. He explained that early deposits were necessary due to Saudi Arabia’s new …

Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has warned local government Hajj affairs officers against diverting the Zam Zam water meant for the pilgrims. The executive secretary of the board, Imam Abdurrahman Ibrahim Idris, gave the warning during yesterday’s flagging off of the distribution of the 5 litres of Zam Zam to all pilgrims who performed the 2024 Hajj exercise at …

Over 1,300 people are reported to have died in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage – with “numerous cases” due to heat stress and “unauthorized” trips accounting for over 80% of the fatalities, Saudi Arabian authorities have said. “The health system addressed numerous cases of heat stress this year, with some individuals still under care. Regrettably, the number of mortalities reached 1,301”, …

At least 19 Jordanian and Iranian pilgrims have died while on the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, authorities from their countries said on Sunday, as temperatures soar in the kingdom. “Fourteen Jordanian pilgrims died and 17 others were missing” during the performance of hajj rituals, Jordan’s foreign ministry said in a statement. AFP reports that the ministry later confirmed that …

More than 1.5 million Muslims will pray on Mount Arafat on Saturday, the high-point and most gruelling day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Worshippers from all over the world will climb the rocky, 70-metre (230-feet) hill, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Mecca, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon. The desert summer heat is …

A total of 7,582 Nigerian pilgrims have been transported to Medina, Saudi Arabia, in the first phase of the 2024 Hajj exercise. They were airlifted in five days after the inaugural flight for this year’s hajj at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, which Vice President Kashim Shettima flagged off. The exercise entered its 5th …

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reiterated his vision to ensure that airlifting of pilgrims from Ibadan to Saudi Arabia for Hajj comes alive. Makinde spoke yesterday during a farewell ceremony for the 2024 pilgrims. He admonished them to be good ambassadors and not be found wanting in any way. The governor said regulators have agreed to airlift pilgrims from …

Vice President Kashim Shettima has flagged off the inaugural flight for this year’s hajj at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA), Birnin Kebbi (SABIA) to Madina International Airport, Jedda with 423 pilgrims and hajj officials from Jega and Arewa local government areas of Kebbi State. While flagging off the flight, Shetima said despite the economic constraints the country had gone …