Category: Religion Watch (ISLAM)

Hajj 2025: NAHCON Chairman applauds Staff, Stakeholders over smooth reception of Pilgrims in Madinah

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has commended the dedication and professionalism of the Commission’s staff and stakeholders for the successful reception of the first batches of Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah for the 2025 Hajj exercise.   Professor Usman, in a statement issued by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publication, expressed deep appreciation to the NAHCON Madinah team for their tireless round-the-clock efforts. He described their work as a “sacrifice for the success of the…

NAHCON intensifies quality control as over 17,000 Nigerian pilgrims receive daily meals in Madinah

Lukman Laleye Babalola

With over 17,000 Nigerian pilgrims already in Madinah for the 2025 Hajj, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reinforced its commitment to pilgrim welfare through a rigorous oversight system that ensured the consistent quality of its extensive feeding operations delivering breakfast and dinner daily to each pilgrim.   The Commission’s Madinah Feeding Committee, led by Alhaji Abdullahi Kabir, conducted regular inspections of the seven contracted catering facilities, maintaining vigilant supervision as the large-scale feeding program unfolds in real time.   “The continual monitoring of every aspect of the…

Friday Sermon: The Dangerous Consequences Of Tribalism And Racism! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful   All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and upon all his family and companions.   Dear brothers and sisters! Tribalism is the pernicious and deleterious ideology that afflicts all human societies in every time and period, originating in the worship of idols and reconstructing itself into many forms throughout the ages. In modern times, we know it as the specters of…

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’S Journey To Hajj By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions. Dear brothers and sisters! Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was born around 570 CE in Makkah – the city where we now undertake Hajj. Upon receiving the first revelation and sharing the message of Allah Almighty, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) faced ongoing persecution and was forced…

Abuja Muslim Forum seeks improved welfare for 2025 Hajj Pilgrims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Abuja Muslim Forum has called on the Nigerian government, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and other relevant stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.   In a statement signed by the Amir, Alh. Abdulrazaq Ajani, the forum expressed gratitude for the efforts already made by the government and NAHCON in preparing for the pilgrimage. However, it emphasized the need for further attention to the well-being of the pilgrims, urged that their comfort and safety be given the utmost priority.   The…

“The Tailor’s Trail: A Stitch of Faith to Makkah” “If I can’t fly to Makkah, then I will go by road” — Ismail Musa Shuaibu

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In the bustling city of Kaduna, Nigeria, amidst the rhythmic hum of sewing machines, a humble tailor named Malam Ismaila Musa Shuaibu crafted garments with skill and precision. His hands, shaped by years of stitching fabric, were also the hands of a man with a deep and abiding faith. For years, Malam Ismail tailored (pun intended) to perform Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to Makkah, which every able Muslim is required to undertake. However each year, as the cost of Hajj soared, Malam Ismail watched from the sidelines as wealthier pilgrims…

NAHCON achieves 19% Pilgrim Airlift in Three Days, Outpaces 2024 Record

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has recorded significant progress in the 2025 Hajj airlift exercise, successfully transporting 19% of the total intending Nigerian pilgrims within the first three days of operations. This mark a remarkable improvement compared to the 9% airlifted during the same period in 2024.   According to the Commission, Air Peace has completed the airlift of Kogi State pilgrims, flying 559 out of the 564 registered pilgrims. Max Air has also concluded its operations for Oyo State, conveying 1,083 pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi…

Orile Agege Hospital Mosque reopens after MURIC-led resolution

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has confirmed the peaceful resolution of the crisis surrounding the use of the mosque at Orile Agege General Hospital. The dispute, sparked by reported restrictions imposed by the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Sola Pitan, led to tensions among Muslim staff and worshippers. In a statement released on Monday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the issue was settled following an emergency meeting between the hospital management, the Muslim community, and the Lagos chapter of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), led by Dr.…

Friday Sermon: Hajj, One Of The Pillars Of Islam By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions. Dear brothers and sisters! Hajj is an Arabic term which literally means “to leave for a place.” Islamically, it refers to the sacred pilgrimage and the fifth pillar of Islam. Every year, over two million Muslims visit the noble city of Makkah to perform the rituals of Hajj during the last…

NAHCON ends 2025 Hajj Registration, Inaugural Flight set to depart Owerri May 9

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the official closure of registration for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. According to a statement signed by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication Division, the registration ended on Friday, May 2, 2025, following an extension granted by the NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman. The original deadline had been fixed for March 25, 2025.   The Commission explained that the halt in registration was necessary to enable smooth planning and airlift of intending pilgrims with adequate provision for their welfare…