NAHCON Unveils 59-Point Guide for Hajj Pilgrims
Commission outlines practical, health and spiritual preparations to help intending pilgrims complete the journey with greater confidence and fewer travel-related challenges
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has released a 59-point checklist to help intending pilgrims prepare for Hajj, outlining practical guidance on travel documentation, health, safety, packing and spiritual readiness ahead of the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The checklist, available on the Commission’s Hajj Companion platform, is designed to guide pilgrims through every stage of the journey, from pre-departure preparations in Nigeria to their return after completing the pilgrimage.
The guidance begins with essential travel requirements, advising pilgrims to ensure they possess a valid international passport with at least six months’ validity, a Hajj visa, flight tickets, hotel booking confirmation, vaccination certificates, travel insurance documents, photocopies of important travel documents and a list of emergency contacts.
NAHCON also recommends that pilgrims pack items considered necessary for the pilgrimage, including two sets of ihram garments, comfortable walking sandals, lightweight modest clothing, umbrellas, waist pouches, prayer mats, sunglasses and small backpacks.
The Commission places particular emphasis on health preparedness, urging pilgrims to travel with prescribed medications, pain relievers, sunscreen, first aid supplies, oral rehydration salts, hand sanitisers, face masks and blister plasters to help manage the physical demands of Hajj.
Beyond travel logistics, the checklist encourages intending pilgrims to make adequate personal and spiritual preparations before departure. These include settling outstanding debts, seeking forgiveness from relatives and friends, updating wills where necessary, studying the rites of Hajj, memorising essential supplications, completing all required vaccinations and notifying financial institutions of their travel plans.
NAHCON also advises pilgrims to observe basic health precautions during the pilgrimage, including drinking sufficient water, avoiding prolonged exposure to extreme heat, maintaining good hygiene, eating balanced meals, wearing supportive footwear, taking regular rest breaks and avoiding unnecessary physical exertion while performing Hajj rituals.
For the return journey, the Commission recommends that pilgrims pack their luggage a day before departure, inspect hotel rooms before checking out, avoid placing Zamzam water or power banks in checked baggage, properly label Zamzam containers, comply with group travel arrangements and arrive at the airport at least four hours before their scheduled flight.
The Commission said the checklist is intended to help Nigerian pilgrims reduce avoidable travel-related challenges, improve their overall preparedness and enable them to focus on the religious obligations of Hajj with greater peace of mind.
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