The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has officially declared Thursday, 26 June 2025, as the first day of Muharram, marking the start of the Islamic New Year 1447 AH, after the crescent moon was sighted on the evening of Wednesday, 29 Dhul Hijjah. The Supreme Court announced the decision after the Crescent Sighting Committee verified credible testimonies confirming the moon’s …

A new crude-for-loan deal between the Federal Government and Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco, worth $5 billion, has stalled and is struggling to reach an agreement following the recent decline in crude prices. A report by Reuters quoting four sources on Tuesday stated that the deal hit a brick wall after fresh market indices and a recent decline in crude …

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced the successful and peaceful conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage for the Islamic year 1446, with over 1.67 million pilgrims performing the sacred rites. The announcement was made by the Deputy Emir of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal, who praised the Kingdom’s leadership for ensuring the event was free of any major health, security, …

Saudi authorities have asked pilgrims performing the hajj to remain in their tents for several hours during the high point of this week’s pilgrimage, citing high temperatures. According to a report in Saudi media, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah has requested that pilgrims refrain from leaving their tents between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on Thursday. The ‘Day of Arafat’ traditionally …

Authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have announced that the 2025 Arafah sermon will be broadcast live in Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani and 34 other languages. This will allow pilgrims and listeners worldwide to follow the sermon in their native language, according a message by the authorities. ‘The Hajj Khutbah 1446 will be translated into 34 languages on Thursday, 9 …

In a sweeping policy shift geared towards managing inbound labour during peak pilgrimage periods, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended issuance of the blockwork visa quota to Nigerians and nationals from six other African countries. Other affected include Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Morocco. The suspension, which affected 14 countries in all, impacted other nations such as Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, …

Saudi Arabia has announced the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. According to the announcement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday by Haramain Sharifain, Dhul Hijjah 1446 will commence on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. The post highlighted key dates for the upcoming Islamic observances: …

Saudi Arabian authorities have barred Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based cleric, from entering the country for the 2025 Hajj rite. Gumi, famous for advocating for bandits, said in a Facebook post on Monday that he was barred from entering Saudi Arabia due to his ‘political views’. ‘For some obvious reasons, my views about world politics, the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable …

The Kwara State Government has flagged-off this year’s 2025 Hajj exercise with the successful airlift of the first batch of 560 intending pilgrims from the state departing to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The affected pilgrims were accompanied by two officials of the National Hajji Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Addressing the pilgrims before their departure, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq urged them …

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has imposed new penalties targeting individuals who violate Hajj permit regulations. The Ministry of Interior made this known on Thursday saying the sanctions include a heavy fine of $26,661 on those who apply for visit visas on behalf of people attempting to perform Hajj without proper authorisation. The new measures, released via the Saudi Press …