Hajj Flakes – 16th Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH
By Abdullahi Yusuf
1. Kebbi State’s second return flight is scheduled to depart Makkah on Friday 5th for Jeddah before departing for Nigeria on Saturday, June 6.
2. The Niger State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board has fixed June 14th, for the commencement of return flights for its pilgrims.
3. Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has urged pilgrims to comply with official return guidelines and cooperate with officials to ensure a smooth and orderly airlift back to Nigeria.
4. The Executive Secretary of the Board, Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu, commended Niger pilgrims for their patience, discipline and exemplary conduct throughout the 2026 Hajj.
5. The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced a refund of 123 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim following adjustments in the Basic Travel Allowance exchange rate.
6. The Agency explained that the refund arose after the Central Bank of Nigeria provided pilgrims’ BTA at a lower exchange rate than the one initially used during Hajj fare calculations.
7. Saudi Arabia has transformed more than 211 tonnes of used Ihram garments into bags, pillows, souvenirs and other reusable products through its Sustainable Ihram Initiative.
8. The programme has produced over 5,000 recycled items, created seasonal employment opportunities and empowered women from low-income families through textile recycling projects.
9. Saudi Arabia has distributed 1.9 million copies of the Holy Qur’an and translated editions in more than 80 languages to departing pilgrims and seasonal workers after Hajj 2026.
10. The Qur’ans, printed by the King Fahd Complex in Madinah, are being distributed through airports, seaports and land border crossings as pilgrims begin their journey home.
Did you know/ fun facts
11. The annual transition from Hajj to Umrah is one of the largest operational shifts in the Islamic world, as facilities designed for Hajj are gradually reconfigured for year-round worshippers.
12. International Umrah visas are typically resumed after Hajj operations and the departure of pilgrims, allowing a new wave of visitors to enter the Kingdom for Umrah.
13. Many pilgrims who remain in Saudi Arabia after Hajj travel to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi before returning home, making Madinah especially busy in the weeks following Hajj.
14. While pilgrims are returning home, engineers, planners, and maintenance teams are already reviewing this year’s Hajj to identify improvements for next year.
15. Hajj is one of the few global events where planning for the next edition begins almost immediately after the current one ends.
16. The Islamic calendar moves about 10-11 days earlier each solar year, meaning the next Hajj season will arrive sooner than many people expect.
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