Hajj Flakes – 21st Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH

By Abdullahi Yusuf

1. NAHCON has successfully airlifted 6,892 Nigerian pilgrims back home through 18 return flights as the post-Hajj evacuation exercise continues.
2. A Flynas return flight conveying 423 pilgrims from Nasarawa State and six officials departed Jeddah for Abuja as part of the ongoing return operations.
3. The first batch of Kwara State pilgrims has landed safely in Ilorin following the successful completion of the 2026 Hajj rites.
4. Gombe State has completed its entire 2026 Hajj airlift operations, becoming one of the first states to conclude both the outbound and return phases of the pilgrimage exercise.
   
5. The Amirul Hajj of Plateau State, Hon. Ahmed Idris Maje, has supervised the distribution of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s Sallah gifts to pilgrims and the evacuation of pilgrims’ luggage ahead of their return to Nigeria.
6. Plateau State authorities say all arrangements have been concluded for the return of pilgrims, with the first and second return flights scheduled for June 9, while the final batch is expected on June 11.
7. The first batch of Osun State pilgrims has also begun the return journey to Nigeria following the successful completion of the Hajj rites in Makkah.
8. The Osun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says 978 pilgrims from the state will be returned home through a phased airlift arrangement over five days.
9. Chairman of the Board, Sheikh Abdul Maruf Ishola, has urged returning pilgrims to uphold the spiritual lessons of Hajj and remain worthy ambassadors of Islam in their communities.
   

Did you know/fun facts

10. One of the hidden causes of pilgrims loitering on the streets of Makkah can be the distance between their accommodation and Masjid al-Haram. Many pilgrims prefer waiting outdoors between prayers rather than making repeated long walks back and forth.

11.  A hotel located just 10–15 minutes from the Haram can allow pilgrims to rest in air-conditioned rooms between prayers instead of spending hours outdoors in the heat.

12. During Hajj, some pilgrims remain near the Haram for several prayer times in a row because returning to distant accommodation may require an hour or more of walking.

13. Accommodation location is considered one of the most important factors affecting a pilgrim’s comfort, energy levels, and exposure to heat during Hajj.

14. Hajj experts often view accommodation planning as a health and welfare issue, not just a lodging issue, because it influences how long pilgrims remain exposed to extreme temperatures.

15. Pilgrims who can easily return to their rooms between prayers are more likely to rest, hydrate, and avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun.

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