By Abdullahi Yusuf

1. MaxAir flight NGL261 departed Jeddah to Kano at 08:36hrs with 548 pilgrims and 7 officialsaboard. Total Nigerian return airlift so far: 36,845 pilgrims across 89 flights.

2. Umza flight UY3540 left Jeddah for Kaduna at 01:46hrs, transporting 476 pilgrims and 8 officials.

3. Air Peace flight APK7925 departed Jeddah to Maiduguri at 00:03hrs, carrying 311 Borno pilgrims and 5 officials.

4. Umza flight UY3461 departed Jeddah to Kaduna via Minna at 23:53hrs, carrying 307 pilgrims: Kaduna: 170 | Niger: 137 | Officials: 5.

5. MaxAir flight NGL2020 departed Jeddah to Gombe on 29 June at 16:14hrs with 397 pilgrims and 1 official.

6. Flynas flight XY9030 departed Jeddah to Kebbi on 29 June at 10:13hrs with 411 pilgrims and 6 officials.

7. Gulf Cooperation Council Citizens and Residents can now perform Umrah year-round, says Saudi Hajj Ministry. Entry is permitted through all air and land ports with permits obtained via the Nusuk app. Valid visa options: Umrah, transit (via Flynas/Saudia), or tourist visa. Visit to Rawdah Al-Sharifah also requires advance booking through Nusuk.

8. Five Baluch men arrested at a checkpoint in Southeastern Iran while en route to welcome returning Hajj pilgrims. Their whereabouts remain unknown, according to Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.

9. Governor of Sindh, Pakistan, Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori, received a congratulatory visitfrom Turkey’s Consul General Cemal Sangu on completing Hajj.

10. Muhajir Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leaders including Dr. Farooq Sattar also visited Governor Tessori, offering Hajj congratulations.

11. Did you know? There is no specific du’a required while drinking Zamzam, but the Prophet (pbuh) recommended making personal supplications for healing or success.

12. Did you know? Your Umrah is not invalidated if your Ihram becomes impure (e.g., stained), as long as you cleanse and replace it correctly.

13. Fun fact: Pilgrims often don’t realize they can pause their Sa’i briefly if fatigued, especially between Safa and Marwah, without invalidating it.

14. Did you know? Tawaf al-Wida (farewell tawaf) is not required for Umrah, only for Hajj, which surprises many first-time Umrah-goers.

15. Did you know? If you forget to say the talbiyah after entering Ihram, your Umrah is still valid, but scholars recommend saying it as soon as remembered.

16. Fun fact: In Nigerian Hausa communities, pilgrims celebrate post-Umrah return with a small walimah (thanksgiving feast).

17. Fun fact: The King Abdulaziz Airport Hajj Terminal in Jeddah is one of the largest open-air airport structures in the world, built specifically for pilgrims.

18. Did you know? Pilgrims from Uzbekistan and parts of Central Asia often travel overland to Madinah first, retracing ancient caravan paths.

19. Fun fact: The Hijrah itself began in the month of Safar, but the calendar starts in Muharram for spiritual and practical reasons.