By Abdullahi Yusuf

1. Hajj 2025 records lowest turnout in 30 years (excluding COVID-era) with 1,673,230 pilgrims down by nearly 160,000 from 2024. Of these, 1.5m came from abroad and 166,654 were residents. Peak year remains 2012 with 3.16m pilgrims.

2. Gov. Nasir Idris donates SR200 to Kebbi pilgrims, pledges improved Hajj 2026 operations. He urged prayers for President Tinubu, Nigeria’s security, and Kebbi State while addressing pilgrims on Arafat Day.

3. No casualties in Makkah fire incident involving 484 Nigerian pilgrims from six tour operators. Fire broke out at Imaratus Sanan Hotel; all pilgrims were already in Mina. NAHCON top officials visited the site.

4. Saudi Crown Prince hosts Hajj dignitaries at Mina Palace, reaffirms Kingdom’s commitment to pilgrims’ service and calls for unified action on Palestine. Attendees included Mauritania, Maldives, Benin, and Somalia.

5. Over 1,000 Indonesians stranded after Saudi Arabia withheld 2025 mujamalah (Furoda) visa approvals. Affected pilgrims had paid significant sums before the decision.

6. 13 Iranian pilgrims die during Hajj 2025 amid extreme heat; temperatures hit 47°C. Iranian Red Crescent urges pilgrims to avoid direct sun and stay hydrated to prevent heatstroke.

7. Post-Hajj movements to Madinah begin today via buses and Haramain Train. Madinah authorities confirm full readiness for influx. Hijrah Expressway and entry points under tight surveillance.

8. Nigeria’s Hajj operations in 2025 hailed as breakthrough in transparency and coordination. VP Shettima’s support, NAHCON’s regulation, and improved airline cooperation cited as key factors.

9. Over 436,000 pilgrims completed Tawaf Al-Ifadah & Sa’i by Eid evening. Nusuk card recorded over 5.5 million scans; Enayah call centre delivered 310,000+ services with 3-second average response time.

10. NAHCON hosts National Assembly delegation in Mina. Lawmakers praised improved welfare, reaffirmed legislative support for Hajj reforms. Delegation led by Hon. Jafaru Aliyu (House Pilgrims’ Affairs Committee)

11. Seven Ghanaian pilgrims confirmed dead in Saudi Arabia. The deceased include five women and two men. Ghana’s Hajj Board has notified their families and extended national condolences.

12. Did You Know?: One of the final obligations of Hajj is Tawaf al-Ifadah, which is required for the completion of Hajj and cannot be skipped.

13. Fun Fact: Tawaf al-Ifadah is also known as Tawaf al-Ziyarah, it marks a spiritual “return” to Allah after Arafat and symbolises purification.

14. Did You Know?: Women who are menstruating at the end of Hajj are exempt from Tawaf al-Wada’, according to majority scholars.

15. Did You Know?: Not all Saudis perform Hajj every year in fact, Saudi citizens must obtain a permit (tasreeh) to perform Hajj and are only allowed once every 5 years, to make room for international pilgrims.

16. Fun Fact: Many Saudi locals serve as volunteers during Hajj, offering free services like water, dates, translation, directions, and even carrying elderly pilgrims out of love for khidmah (service).

17. Fun Fact: In many Saudi cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, there is an application process where citizens can enter a Hajj lottery due to the limited number of domestic slots.

18. Did You Know?: Even though millions live in Saudi Arabia, domestic pilgrims (Saudis + resident expats) make up only about 15–25% of total Hajj attendees annually.

19. Fun Fact: Saudi Arabia sets aside special Hajj quotas for the families of military martyrs and health workersas a reward for national service.

20. Did You Know?: In Makkah and Medina, entire neighborhoods pause regular life during Hajj season. Locals may change work shifts, reduce outings, or adjust routines due to traffic and crowd movement.

21. Fun Fact: Some Saudis make it a tradition to perform Hajj on behalf of deceased family members, especially their parents, a highly respected act known as Hajj Badal.