Category: Religion Watch (ISLAM)

NAHCON Chairman updates Saudi ministry on 2026 Hajj preparations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has briefed the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. This took place during a virtual meeting aimed at ensuring smooth collaboration and efficient planning for the upcoming pilgrimage.   Prof. Usman outlined key milestones, including the successful securing of camp booking slots in line with the Saudi Hajj calendar, and informed the Ministry that the process of appointing air carriers for the 2026 operation is nearing completion. NAHCON…

MURIC rejects allegations of Christian Genocide in Nigeria, warns against religious propaganda

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Osun State Chapter, has dismissed recent allegations of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, describing them as false, biased, and part of a wider conspiracy to portray the country negatively and implicate innocent Muslims.   Reacting to recent developments in Washington D.C., where claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria were raised, MURIC said the narrative was “hypocritical and unfounded,” adding that it failed to reflect the reality on the ground. The group maintained that terrorism in Nigeria is not driven by religion, as both Muslims and…

Friday Sermon: Those Who Were Blessed With Knowledge But Failed To Act Upon It Are Like Donkeys Carrying Volumes Of Books! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Prophet Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions. Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, in every society, an evil Islamic scholar misleads people, corrupts divine teachings, and promotes discord and divisions instead of peace and unity; causing great harm to the Ummah by distorting the truth and preventing others from reaching it. These Islamic scholars…

MURIC accuses Maiduguri hospitals of harassing muslim women over Islamic dress

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused three government-owned hospitals in Maiduguri, Borno State, of harassing Muslim women who wear Islamic garments such as the niqab. The group, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, and titled “Maiduguri Hospitals Harassing Muslim Women – MURIC”, named the affected facilities as Maiduguri General Hospital, Umar Shehu Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. According to MURIC, security personnel at the gates of the hospitals have allegedly been ordering Muslim women to completely remove their veils before being…

NAHCON applauds Tinubu, Shettima over directive to reduce 2026 Hajj fares

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their recent directive aimed at reducing the cost of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.   In an official statement issued by Deputy Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON described the move as “thoughtful and timely,” offering significant relief to thousands of intending pilgrims across the country.   “The President’s instruction to review Hajj fares downward shows a government that listens and responds to the people’s concerns. It reflects genuine…

IHR hails President Tinubu for Hajj fare reduction, urges ₦1,000/$1 exchange rate for 2026 pilgrimage

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation focused on monitoring and advocating for better Hajj operations, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his directive to reduce the cost of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. The directive, which was conveyed through Vice President Kashim Shettima during a meeting with the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), followed the strengthening of the naira against the US dollar.one of the main factors influencing Hajj fares. IHR described the move as a timely and commendable intervention that demonstrates the President’s…

NAHCON begins nationwide verification of Tour Operators for 2026 Hajj and Umrah

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced a nationwide verification exercise for Private Tour Operators as part of its preparations for the 2026 Hajj and Umrah season.   The exercise followed the recent inauguration of the Committee on Licensing and Verification of Private Tour Operators by NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, at the Hajj House in Abuja. The committee is tasked with assessing and verifying all applications submitted by existing and prospective tour operators seeking accreditation for the upcoming pilgrimage season.   The verification process, which began…

MURIC accuses Lagos Education Officials of christianising muslim students, calls for urgent government intervention

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Lagos State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised alarm over what it described as the “Christianisation” of Muslim students in Lagos public schools through religious programmes disguised as educational empowerment initiatives.   In a strongly worded statement released on Monday and signed by its Chairman, Dr. Busari Muhammad Jamiu Ademola, MURIC accused officials in various Lagos Education Districts of collaborating with Christian organisations to coerce Muslim students into participating in Christian activities.   “It is with heavy hearts and a sense of urgency that we send…

CSO urges CBN to scrap 2% service charge on Hajj payments

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A civil society organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to abolish the 2% service charge imposed on Hajj fare payments made by Nigerian pilgrims, describing it as a significant contributor to the rising cost of the annual pilgrimage In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, IHR said the fee equivalent to about $90 or N144,000 per pilgrim based on the current exchange rate of N1,600 to the dollar placed an additional financial burden on intending pilgrims. With Nigeria’s Hajj…

Hadith competition concludes with grand finale in Abuja ….. Organizers charge youth to adhere to Sunnah

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema today held the closing ceremony of a prestigious Hadith Competition recently organized to inspire young men and women to deepen their understanding of the Prophet’s teachings. The competition, which drew participants from various regions and states across Nigeria, culminated in a grand finale held at the Abuja National Mosque Conference Hall. A total of 560 participants took part in the competition, which was divided into three categories: memorization of 40 Hadiths, memorization and meaning of 35 Hadiths, and memorization and jurisprudence of 25…