By Abdullahi Yusuf

1. Top 10 Hajj Quotas 2025: Indonesia leads with 221,000 slots, followed by Pakistan (180,000), India (175,025), Bangladesh (127,198), and Nigeria (95,000) the highest in Africa. Iran, Algeria, Turkey, Egypt, and Sudan complete the top 10.

2. Saudi Arabia to deploy 85 buses for Kaduna pilgrims’ Mashair movement starting midnight on Tuesday, 8 Dhul-Hijjah, as over 4,000 pilgrims prepare for Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.

3. Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Boardcommends pilgrims in Makkah for discipline and high meal standards. Chairman Enabo inspected food and facilities at Kauran Gwandu House.

4. Saudi Interior Minister inaugurates 100-bed field hospital in Arafat, featuring advanced emergency response tools and launches a smart health bracelet to monitor security personnel in real time.

5. Arafah Sermon to be translated live into 34 languages, including Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, Swahili, Amharic, Mandarin, Urdu, French, and more.

6. Saudi Arabia stages security parade in Makkah, showcasing readiness of 40,000 personnel, commandos, helicopters, and emergency response units for Hajj 2025.

7. Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA)deploys 120 cameras, 14 TV trucks, and 12 satellite units for global Hajj coverage; documentary released on SBA’s role.

8. Indonesian Muslims face 20–40-year Hajj wait, says NU Chairman, citing overwhelming demand vs limited quota despite Indonesia’s leading allocation.

9. Saudi crackdown on unauthorized pilgrims: Over 269,000 individuals without Hajj permits denied entry into Makkah to prevent overcrowding and heat-related deaths.

10. Makkah completes major infrastructure upgrades around Grand Mosque, expanding walkways and adding 30,000 sqm of shaded areas to ease pilgrim movement.

11. 3,360 tons of Zamzam water consumed at Prophet’s Mosque in 15 days; 218,336 bottled units distributed with over 14 million cups used across service areas.

12. Fun Fact: After the oil boom, Saudi Arabia made massive infrastructure upgrades in the 1970s to modernise Hajj operations.

13. Did You Know?: In the early 1900s, pilgrims from India, Indonesia, and Malaysia often journeyed by steamshipsfor weeks to reach Makkah.

14. Fun Fact: Historic flood control projects were carried out around the Kaʿbah due to repeated flooding in Makkah before modern infrastructure.

15. Did You Know?: For centuries, pilgrims from West Africa travelled in caravans called “Mahmal” a symbolic palanquin accompanied by scholars and guards.

16. Did You Know?: In the 1930s, Hajj pilgrims from Africa often traveled with “Hajj certificates”instead of passports, issued by colonial authorities.