Hajj Flakes – Friday, 16 May 2025 | 18 Dhul-Qa’dah 1446 AH
By Abdullahi Yusuf
- MaxAir flight VM3021 departed Bauchi to Madinah at 09:19hrs with 549 Bauchi pilgrims (M: 392, F: 157). Air Peace flight APK7914 departed Lagos via Yola to Madinah at 10:24hrs with 312 pilgrims and 2 officials: Edo: 206 (M: 120, F: 86)
Taraba: 106 (M: 68, F: 38)
Total Airlift to Date: 18,332 pilgrims | 45 flights - NAHCON is urged to direct Hajj caterers to reduce the use of fish in meals due to cultural preferences of many Nigerian pilgrims.
- FCT Minister Inaugurates Hajj Committee: A Ministerial Committee has been established in the FCT to ensure a smooth and coordinated 2025 Hajj operation.
- Multiple arrests have been made across Madinah and Makkah over fake Hajj services, unauthorised transportation, and social media scams exploiting pilgrims via illegal shelters.
- Saudi Arabia: Over 400 buses, a 200-bed hospital, 36,000 sqm of pedestrian paths, and 10,000 trees have been put in place to support pilgrim movement and welfare.
- Saudi Ministry has warned of the MERS-CoV virus. Pilgrims are advised to maintain hygiene, wear masks, and avoid contact with camels.
- Pakistan makes last-minute appeal to Saudi Arabia for an additional 67,000 pilgrims to be accepted for Hajj 2025.
- Fun fact: Hajj rituals are performed without gender segregation. Men and women circle the Kaaba, perform Sa’i, and stand at Arafat side by side in a rare symbol of spiritual equality.
- Fun fact: Hajj culminates in Eid al-Adha, where pilgrims perform Qurbani to honour Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) devotion. The meat is shared with the poor, family, and neighbours.
- Fun fact: The Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) at the eastern corner of the Kaaba is believed to date back to Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Adam (AS). Pilgrims attempt to kiss or point to it during Tawaf.
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