By Abdullahi Yusuf

1. NAHCON Airlift Update: Flynas Flight XY9074 departed Jeddah to Sokoto at 05:56hrs with 423 Sokoto pilgrims and 4 officials; bringing Sokoto’s total to 5,978 pilgrims across 15 flights.

2. Nasarawa Homebound: UMZA Flight UY3540 departed Jeddah to Abuja at 00:39hrs with 474 Nasarawa pilgrims and 7 officials.

3. Kogi, Edo, Benue, and Armed Forces:Air Peace Flight APK7903 departed Jeddah to Abuja at 19:27hrs carrying 294 pilgrims and 22 officials: Kogi (281), Armed Forces (11), Edo (1), Benue (1).

4. Kebbi Update: Flynas Flight XY9012 departed Jeddah to Kebbi at 17:29hrs with 421 pilgrims and 5 officials (Kebbi – 420, FCT – 1). This marks Kebbi’s 4th return flight, which landed at 9:21am local time at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi.

5. Oyo State Pilgrims Farewell: Oyo pilgrims expressed appreciation to Mashariq Al Dhahabia for providing Al Baik meals before their departure to Jeddah Airport en route to Nigeria.

6. Indonesia Update: 32,797 Indonesian pilgrims have returned home (84 out of 525 groups), equivalent to 16% of the total. Largest arrivals were recorded at Jakarta Pondok Gede and Surabaya, each receiving 16 groups.

7. Deputy Hajj Minister of Saudi Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat inspected Iranian pilgrims’ accommodations in Makkah and met with Dr. Alireza Bayat of Iran’s Hajj Organization yesterday. The visit aligns with directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure full care for Iranian pilgrims.

8. Libya’s first Hajj return flight landed at Mitiga International Airport via Afriqiyah Airways. Pilgrims praised organization and support. 7,887 Libyans performed Hajj this year.

9. Amid regional tensions, Afghanistan will facilitate Iranian pilgrims’ return via land. Afghan FM Muttaqi condemned Israeli strikes and assured safe passage during a call with Iranian FM Araghchi.

10. At about 207 surgical and cardiac catheterization procedures were conducted during the 2025 Hajj season. Emergency visits hit 16,059, and ambulance services reached 2,289. Dialysis sessions totaled 120. Over 21,000 personnel are currently active across 33 hospitals and clinics.

11. Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs says it will begin early registration for Hajj 2026 within 4–5 days. Token payments will be required to confirm eligibility, under both public and private schemes. This is part of early coordination with Saudi Arabia to ensure better planning.

12. India: First batch of 158 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir to land at Srinagar International Airport at 8:30pm today. Over 3,600 pilgrims from the region are expected to return in phases. Authorities have put logistics in place for smooth reentry.

13. Did you know? Pilgrims from war-torn countries are often given temporary extension permits to remain in Saudi Arabia until their return route is safe or alternative arrangements are made.

14. Fun fact: During the Syrian conflict, many Syrian pilgrims were not sent back home immediately; some sought asylum or refuge through consular support while still in Saudi Arabia.

15. Fun fact: Pilgrims from countries like Yemen, Sudan, or Palestine have, in previous years, been evacuated to third countries via special humanitarian corridors arranged post-Hajj.

16. Fun fact: In crisis situations, embassies may collapse their operations, and Saudi authorities assign special teams to handle repatriation or sheltering for stranded pilgrims.

17. Pilgrims from regions under occupation or siege (e.g., Gaza or parts of Sudan) are sometimes airlifted via indirect routes, like through Jordan, Egypt, or Ethiopia.