The return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2026 Hajj has officially begun, starting with pilgrims from Nasarawa State. According to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), MaxAir flight NGL267 departed Jeddah for Abuja at 09:27hrs, conveying 560 pilgrims back to Nigeria. Flynas, one of the Saudi-designated Nigerian Hajj carriers, also confirmed…
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics says a total of 1,707,301 pilgrims participated in the 2026 Hajj exercise. The figure represents an increase from the 1,673,230 pilgrims recorded during the previous Hajj season. Millions of Muslims from around the world gathered in Makkah and other holy sites for the annual pilgrimage, performing rites at Arafah,…
Thousands of Muslim pilgrims gathered on Mount Arafat on Tuesday for the spiritual climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage, praying under intense desert temperatures near the holy city of Mecca. Worshippers dressed in white robes recited Quranic verses on the historic hill where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon. Volunteers distributed…
The first batch of Lagos State pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage has departed Madinah for the holy city of Makkah to continue their spiritual exercise. A total of 343 pilgrims left Madinah in high spirits after spending four days engaged in fervent prayers and devotional activities at the Prophet’s Mosque. Meanwhile, the second…
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has unveiled key reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, professionalism, and strict regulatory oversight as preparations intensify for the 2026 Hajj exercise. The announcement was made during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting at the Commission’s headquarters, Hajj House in Abuja, which brought together Commissioners, Board Members, Executive Secretaries and Chairmen…
Christians around the world are set to begin the solemn season of Lent with the observance of Ash Wednesday. The day marks the start of a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, repentance, and reflection leading up to Easter. Ash Wednesday services are characterized by the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of worshippers, symbolizing humility,…
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH, following the sighting of the crescent moon across Nigeria. In a statement issued in Sokoto and signed by the Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sambo Junaid, the Sultan confirmed that…
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The nomination was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, President Tinubu has written to Senate…
Ridwanullah Isaq has emerged as the overall winner of the 3rd Abdulganiyu Olusegun Awokoya Camping Programme and Quranic Competition. The 16-year-old from Oyo State took first place following rigorous rounds of memorization and recitation, competing against 27 other participants. Oreagba Zainab Opeyemi and Malik Fawzan Mubarak emerged in second and third place, respectively. The annual …
Sheikh Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has officially resigned from his position. No further details regarding the reasons for his resignation or plans for his successor have been disclosed at this time.
