As Nigerian Hajj stakeholders gear up for the inaugural flight of Nigerian pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the first batches of pilgrims for the annual spiritual exercise arrived in the Kingdom on Saturday.
The first batches of pilgrims, including those under the Makkah Route Initiative, came from Turkiye, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh and India.
The Makkah Route Initiative, which aims to provide high-quality services to pilgrims from participating countries and began in 2017, has 10 participating countries, including Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Ivory Coast, the Maldives, Senegal and Brunei.
Saudi newspaper, Saudi Gazette, reported that most of the pilgrims arrived at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, while some groups landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The newspaper reported that Saudi officials and diplomats from the respective countries received the pilgrims at the airports as they began their journey to perform the spiritual exercise.
In another development, the newspaper reported that, as part of comprehensive preparations to receive pilgrims for this year’s Hajj, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque had completed the annual raising of the lower section of the Kaaba’s cover, known as the Kiswa.
It added that a team of 34 skilled craftsmen raised the silk covering and secured a two-metre-wide white cotton cloth around all four sides of the Kaaba.
Meanwhile, a faith-based civil society organisation (CSO), Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), on Saturday called for the establishment of a special committee to oversee the payment and implementation of Hadaya (animal sacrifice) for Nigerian pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
In a statement made available to Tribune Online in Abuja on Saturday and signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the group said the call was imperative to prevent a recurrence of the alleged irregularities recorded during the 2025 pilgrimage.
The IHR noted that the conduct of Hadaya has remained a contentious issue, often plagued by a lack of transparency and accountability.
According to the group, the arrangement allowing Jaiz Bank to facilitate Hadaya payments through an Islamic Development Bank-approved platform has not fully addressed the challenges, noting that many pilgrims still prefer to pay through some state pilgrims boards.
It alleged that while some states maintain transparency, others divert funds meant for Hadaya, thereby denying pilgrims the fulfilment of a key religious obligation.
The group also called for uniformity in the charges for Hadaya across all states, noting that disparities currently exist despite uniform Hajj fares based on flight zones.
The IHR further observed that although the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has integrated Hadaya into the Hajj payment system, Nigeria is yet to fully comply, leaving room for states to manage this year’s Hadaya project.
It, therefore, urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to set up a dedicated committee to regulate the process as part of its renewed efforts to strengthen oversight and accountability in the Hajj industry.