By Abdullahi Yusuf

1. 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
2. NAHCON is urged to direct Hajj caterers to reduce the use of fish in meals due to cultural preferences of many Nigerian pilgrims.
3. FCT Minister Inaugurates Hajj Committee: A Ministerial Committee has been established in the FCT to ensure a smooth and coordinated 2025 Hajj operation.
4. Multiple arrests have been made across Madinah and Makkah over fake Hajj services, unauthorised transportation, and social media scams exploiting pilgrims via illegal shelters.
5. 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.
6. Saudi Ministry has warned of the MERS-CoV virus. Pilgrims are advised to maintain hygiene, wear masks, and avoid contact with camels.
7. Pakistan makes last-minute appeal to Saudi Arabia for an additional 67,000 pilgrims to be accepted for Hajj 2025.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.