Saudi Update: NAHCON Chairman Visit to Pilgrims’ Tents Ahead of National Prayer
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ismail Abba Yusuf, on Tuesday visited pilgrims’ tents at the Plain of Arafat as part of high-level supervisory engagements ahead of the Annual National Prayer scheduled for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The inspection tour, conducted alongside members of his entourage, formed part of NAHCON’s operational oversight on Arafat Day, one of the most significant moments in the Hajj calendar, where millions of pilgrims gather in supplication and spiritual reflection.
According to the schedule, the Annual National Prayer is expected to commence at 4:00 p.m. Saudi Arabia time (2:00 p.m. Nigeria time), aligning with coordinated arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the global pilgrimage exercise.
The visit underscored NAHCON’s continued commitment to ensuring structured coordination, welfare monitoring, and seamless participation of Nigerian pilgrims during the peak rites of Hajj.
Officials noted that the engagement also served as a final operational check on logistics within the Arafat encampment, reinforcing readiness for the nationwide spiritual gathering.
The 2026 Arafat Day activities remain a central pillar of the Hajj exercise, drawing heightened attention from religious authorities, stakeholders, and coordinating bodies across participating countries.
