MECCA — Nigerian pilgrims were among the more than two million Muslims who gathered at Mount Arafat near Mecca on Tuesday, May 26, in what Muslims describe as the spiritual peak of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The Arafat standing, known as Wuquf, is considered the most critical ritual of Hajj. Pilgrims who miss it are considered to have not performed a valid Hajj.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria confirmed that Nigerian pilgrims participated in the Arafat gathering as scheduled. Nigeria’s 2026 Hajj contingent is one of the largest in West Africa, with tens of thousands of Nigerians making the journey to the holy land this year.
Temperatures at Mount Arafat soared during the gathering, reaching above 42 degrees Celsius according to Saudi meteorological services. Heat exhaustion cases were reported among pilgrims from several countries. Saudi authorities deployed emergency medical teams and water distribution points across the mount to protect the health of worshippers.
NAHCON Director-General Jalal Ahmad Arabi said Nigeria’s medical team was fully deployed to support pilgrims during the Arafat gathering. He said preparations were made well in advance for the extreme heat conditions expected at this time of year. Nigeria deployed 430 medical personnel to Saudi Arabia to support the contingent.
Nigeria’s Hajj Challenges
This year’s Hajj has not been without challenges for Nigerian pilgrims. Several pilgrims reported difficulties with accommodation arrangements in Makkah and Madinah. Some complained of overcrowding in some camps. NAHCON said it is addressing all legitimate complaints and working with Saudi authorities to resolve any logistical problems.
The cost of Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims increased significantly this year due to naira depreciation and rising Saudi fees. Many Nigerians spent years saving for the pilgrimage only to find costs had risen beyond their original budget by the time they departed. NAHCON said it subsidised a portion of the costs to make Hajj accessible to more Nigerians.
Furthermore, the Nigerian government has faced questions about the transparency of Hajj fund management. Civil society groups have called for an independent audit of NAHCON’s finances. The commission said all funds are properly managed and that full accounts will be published after the season concludes.
After Arafat
Following the Arafat gathering, pilgrims moved to Muzdalifah to spend the night before proceeding to Mina for the stoning of the Jamarat, one of the final major Hajj rituals. The successful completion of these rites will allow Nigerian pilgrims to complete their Hajj before returning home.
Return flights for the Nigerian Hajj contingent are expected to begin from late May through June 2026. NAHCON said it is working with airlines to ensure all pilgrims are transported home safely and on schedule. Pilgrims who complete the Hajj receive the title of Alhaji or Alhaja upon returning to Nigeria.
The Hajj 2026 gathering is taking place amid the backdrop of the ongoing Ebola alert. Saudi health authorities said they screened all pilgrims from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan before allowing them to join the general Hajj congregation. No Ebola cases have been reported among the Hajj pilgrims.
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