The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has confirmed that the airlift of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj will commence on May 13, 2025, aligning with the schedule set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The announcement was made by the Board’s Chairman, Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, during an inspection of Hajj training centers in Ungogo and Bichi Local Government Areas, as part of ongoing preparations for the pilgrimage.
Danbappa revealed that the first batch of Kano pilgrims will be transported to the Holy Land via Max Air, a decision finalized following NAHCON’s approval of the airline for Kano and Jigawa pilgrims. “In line with the timetable provided by NAHCON, Kano will begin its airlift operations on May 13. We have completed all necessary preparations to facilitate a successful and well-organized exercise,” he stated, emphasizing the Board’s commitment to a seamless process. The Board has already remitted over N19 billion to NAHCON for the 4,356 allocated Hajj seats, with arrangements for accommodation, feeding, and transportation in Mecca and Medina secured.
During the visit, Alhaji Yusif Lawan, another Board official, urged pilgrims to take the ongoing training sessions seriously, noting that consistent attendance is crucial for understanding the correct performance of Hajj rites. “The training equips pilgrims with the knowledge to perform the pilgrimage according to Islamic guidelines,” Lawan said. He also cautioned pilgrims to strictly adhere to regulations set by Nigerian and Saudi authorities to ensure a hitch-free experience, warning against bringing prohibited items or violating visa rules.
The Board has distributed essential Hajj materials, including uniforms and travel bags, and urged pilgrims to collect them from their respective Local Government Hajj Centre Officers. Danbappa reiterated the Board’s appeal to NAHCON to provide cash for the Basic Traveling Allowance (BTA) instead of ATM cards to ease financial access for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Despite NAHCON’s broader schedule setting May 9 as the national start date for airlifts, Kano’s operations are tailored to begin on May 13, with return flights expected to conclude by July 2, 2025.
This announcement follows a strategic meeting between NAHCON and State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, where logistical readiness, including medical clinics in Mecca and Medina and visa processing, was confirmed. However, posts on X, such as those by @Moia_kanostate, highlight ongoing concerns about NAHCON’s leadership, with some stakeholders alleging internal crises that could affect preparations. Despite these challenges, the Kano Board remains focused on delivering a spiritually fulfilling Hajj for its 4,356 pilgrims.
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