Hajj Flakes – Sunday, 15 June 2025 | 19 Dhul-Hijjah 1446 AH

By Abdullahi Yusuf

1. Flynas airlifts 418 Kebbi pilgrims today Flight XY9070 departed Jeddah at 05:53hrs with 418 pilgrims. Total Airlift: 2,574, Total Flights: 07

2. Max Air transports 499 pilgrims, 37 officials to Bauchi, Flight VM273 departed Jeddah at 07:34hrs. Total Airlift: 3,073, Total Flights: 08.

3. Kwara officials accused of defrauding pilgrims of BTA, Some Kwara Hajj officials allegedly gave pilgrims $5 instead of the approved $500 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) at Ilorin Airport. Victims, including Umar Muhammad Bello, said the officials instructed them to hide the money until arrival in Saudi Arabia—only to realise they’d been shortchanged. NAHCON is yet to officially comment.

4. Saudi begins return of Iranian pilgrims via Arar land port, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched a special 24/7 operations unit to oversee the smooth return of 76,000 Iranian pilgrims. Departures will occur through Jeddah and Madinah airports to Arar, then continue by land to Iran.

5. Kwara Gov Approves $500 Refund, Board Clarifies BTA Fraud, the Kwara Pilgrims Board says all pilgrims received $500 in Ilorin but suspects fraud occurred in Madinah through deceitful currency exchanges. Governor AbdulRazaq has approved $500 compensation for victims and offered financial support to all Kwara pilgrims. The board backs CBN’s move to replace cash BTA with preloaded debit cards.

6. Al-Haditha border port completes smooth departure for pilgrims, The Passports Office in Al-Jouf confirmed the successful processing of pilgrims exiting via the Al-Haditha land crossing. The General Directorate of Passports reiterated preparedness across all Saudi entry/exit points.

7. 20,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims return home from Hajj, Of the returnees, 2,924 travelled via government packages and 17,576 via private agencies. Flights continue as repatriation efforts intensify post-Hajj 2025.

8. Indonesia urges pilgrims to maintain health ahead of return, Indonesian officials advised pilgrims to stay fit and observe baggage rules: 1 large bag (max 32kg) and 1 cabin bag (max 7kg). The Ministry of Religious Affairs prays for safe return and accepted Hajj for all.

9. At around 23,000 service workers lost licenses this year for violating Hajj regulations in Saudi Arabia.

10. Fun fact: During Hajj, entry to Makkah is restricted exclusively to Hajj visa holders, residents, and authorized personnel starting weeks early.

11. Fun fact: If pilgrims violate Ihram rules (e.g., shaving early, using perfume), Saudi security intervenes to enforce religious compliance.

12. Did you know? Group offices and international Hajj agencies must register pilgrim data electronically to be Saudi-approved.

13. Fun Fact: Since Dec 2020, China’s 42‑article regulations require all Hajj trips be organized exclusively by the state-run China Islamic Association.

14. Did you know?: In China Public-sector employees are banned from participating in Hajj; doing so can result in loss of pensions or benefits.

15. Did you know?: Chinese Pilgrims must be accompanied by Chinese government or Islamic Association officials while abroad to monitor conduct.

16. Fun Fact: Female Indian pilgrims aged 45+ can now perform Hajj without a Mehram, provided they’re traveling in groups.

17. Did you know? In Egypt Pilgrims with advanced chronic conditions (heart disease, dialysis, Alzheimer’s, psychiatric diagnoses) are banned from Hajj .

18. Fun fact: For Hajj 2025, Egypt is appointing female supervisors (under 50) as guides, with a ratio of 1 supervisor per 46 pilgrims.

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