Hajj Flakes Final Wrap-Up | Thursday, 3 July 2025 | 8 Muharram 1447 AH

Hajj 2025 concludes as over 1.67 million pilgrims perform rites, Nigeria closes operations with 41,291 airlifted.

Over 1,673,230 pilgrims performed Hajj 2025, 1,506,576 international pilgrims (90%) & 166,654 Saudi citizens/residents, Male: 877,841 and Female: 795,389.

Arrivals recorded 1,435,017 via air, 66,465 by land, 5,094 by sea, 420,070 workers (public/private/security) supported pilgrims, including 34,540 volunteers contributing 2,134,398 hours.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The 2025 Hajj season has officially come to a close after nearly two months of intensive spiritual, logistical and diplomatic activity, spanning from the first outbound flight on May 9 to the last return flight on July 2. In total, 1.67 million pilgrims from around the globe performed the sacred rites in Makkah and Madinah, against a backdrop of searing heat, geopolitical tensions, and logistical complexities.

For Nigeria, the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) wrapped up its operations on Wednesday, July 2, with the final flight carrying 89 pilgrims 88 from Kaduna and one from Katsina landing safely at Kaduna airport at 10:30 a.m. This marked the end of a 55-day airlift operation, during which 41,291 pilgrims were transported on 101 flights.

Hajj 2025 unfolded under one of the hottest summers in recent history, with temperatures in Makkah exceeding 47°C and heat indexes surpassing 50°C. Saudi Arabia deployed thousands of medical workers and hydration points to mitigate risks, but the heat still took its toll.

Iran reported 13 heat-related deaths among its 86,700 pilgrims. Nigeria recorded 9 deaths, 3 miscarriages, and celebrated the birth of a baby girl by a Zamfara pilgrim in Madinah. Ghana confirmed 7 deaths, 18 Pakistani pilgrims succumbed to heart attacks and other causes, 53 Indonesian pilgrims died, 19 from heart-related illnesses, while Algeria, Senegal, and Bangladesh also reported isolated casualties. (Note: the official Saudi count reported zero deaths during Hajj rituals)

This year’s pilgrimage coincided with global geopolitical tremors. The Iran-Israel conflict triggered airspace closures and rerouting of flights for several countries. Some Iranian pilgrims, fearing retaliation strikes, were delayed for days before returning via overland routes through Iraq.

In Indonesia, bomb threats led to heightened airport security in Medan, delaying three Hajj flights for hours. Pakistan faced logistical chaos after private-sector contractors failed to arrange adequate flights, stranding over 67,000 pilgrims before government intervention salvaged their return. Meanwhile India and Bangladesh encountered delays in approvals for private Hajj operators, resolved only after direct talks with Saudi officials.

Senegal and Mali emerged among the last nations to complete their return operations, with charter flights departing Jeddah late on July 2.

Nigeria, in contrast, recorded one of its smoothest operations in recent years, with only minor scheduling adjustments. FlyNas, Air Peace, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation all fulfilled their quotas successfully.

Hajj 2025 also underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to technological modernization under Vision 2030. Over 190,000 post-Hajj Umrah visas were issued via the Nusuk digital platform in just 20 days. AI-powered crowd control systems monitored Mina and Arafat, while digital bracelets tracked pilgrim vitals in real-time. 25,000 buses and 9,000 taxis ferried pilgrims seamlessly between sites, supported by 429,000 hotel rooms across Makkah and Madinah.

The pilgrimage brought stories of faith and compassion. In Madinah, an Afghan pilgrim gave birth to the season’s first reported delivery, while Gambian and Malaysian pilgrims recovered and returned lost wallets containing thousands of dollars. Nigerian pilgrims were praised for acts of honesty, including one returning $5,000 found near the Grand Mosque.

In Algeria, an 87-year-old man was celebrated as his nation’s oldest pilgrim, while Malaysia documented a 92-year-old woman completing her lifetime dream, marking 2025 hajj oldest as to last year’s 130‑year‑old Algerian woman, Surhuda Stiti, who completed the pilgrimage in June 2024.

Diplomatically, Saudi Arabia and Iran maintained cautious cooperation despite broader tensions, ensuring the safe return of Iranian pilgrims.

As the final flights departed and millions of pilgrims returned home, Hajj 2025 closed peacefully. Preparations for Hajj 2026 are already underway, with Saudi authorities vowing to address this year’s bottlenecks and enhance pilgrims’ safety and comfort in the years to come.

Hajj Flakes ran for 55 days from the first outbound flight on May 9 to the last return flight on July 2 chronicling the triumphs, trials, and timeless stories of the world’s largest annual gathering.

SPONSORED

SPONSORED

SPONSORED