Kano Amirul Hajj Raises Concerns Over Pilgrims’ Treatment During 2026 Hajj
By Abdulwahid Musa Muhammad
The Amirul Hajj of Kano State and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, has raised concerns over challenges encountered by Kano pilgrims during the ongoing 2026 Hajj operations in Saudi Arabia, calling on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to urgently address the issues.
The concerns were conveyed by his deputy, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammadu Maharaz, during a meeting with NAHCON officials at the Kano Pilgrims Camp in Mina.
The Kano delegation cited several operational difficulties affecting pilgrims from the state, including delays in airlift operations, limited stay in Madina, poor feeding arrangements, and the non-issuance of Nusuk cards to some pilgrims.
According to the Amirul Hajj, Kano pilgrims were among the last contingents of Nigerian pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia, a situation he said caused hardship and anxiety for intending pilgrims.
He added that repeated delays disrupted movement schedules and reduced the time many pilgrims were expected to spend in Madinah before proceeding to Makkah.
The Emir explained that while pilgrims from some states spent four or five days in Madina, many Kano contingents stayed for less than two days, limiting their opportunity for worship and spiritual activities in the holy city.
The delegation also expressed dissatisfaction with the feeding arrangements provided to pilgrims in Madina and Jeddah, alleging that the quality of meals served fell below expected standards.
According to the Amirul Hajj, there were instances where some pilgrims were not served meals despite the significant amount paid for the pilgrimage.
Another major issue raised was the delay in issuing Nusuk cards to some pilgrims, which reportedly affected their movement and participation in certain Hajj activities.
The Emir stated that the absence of mandatory identification cards restricted some pilgrims, while delayed clearance in Makkah left others inside buses for several hours after arrival.
“At a point, some pilgrims were kept inside buses for over five hours after arriving in Makkah because they could not disembark due to the absence of Nusuk cards for some of them,” he said.
He stressed that the welfare and comfort of pilgrims should remain a top priority for all agencies involved in Hajj operations and urged NAHCON to prevent a recurrence of the challenges, particularly during the return airlift to Nigeria.
Responding, the Director of Training and Research at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abubakar Abubakar Yargawal, assured the Kano delegation that the commission would address the concerns raised.
He apologized for the operational difficulties experienced during the exercise and stated that efforts were ongoing to improve services and ensure a smoother experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
Professor Yargawal also commended Kano pilgrims and officials for their patience and cooperation despite the challenges encountered during the exercise.
