Category: Religion Watch (ISLAM)

Oyo Kingdom unveils committee for Grand Chief Imam’s inauguration, turbaning ceremony

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Oyo Alaafin Palace has announced the constitution of the Imamate Inauguration and Turbaning Committee ahead of the installation of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Kingdom, scheduled for December 6, 2025.   In a statement issued on Monday, the committee was approved by the Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Imam Billal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, to coordinate preparations for what is expected to be a historic and culturally significant ceremony.   The committee is chaired by Imam Daud Igi Ogun, Khadeemul-l-Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom. Other members included: Alhaji Chief Tajudeen Kamarise,…

NAHCON, Rawaf Mina sign 2026 Hajj agreement with licensed tour operators

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has formalised the 2026 Hajj contract agreement between Licensed Tour Operators and Rawaf Mina Company, marking a major step forward in preparations for next year’s pilgrimage. The agreement was signed by the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, and the CEO of Rawaf Mina Company, Mr. Zuhair Abdel Hamid Sadayo, during a ceremony that reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to delivering high-quality services to Nigerian pilgrims. Speaking at the event, Professor Usman reminded the service provider of the expectations of Nigerian pilgrims, stressing…

2026 Hajj: NAHCON, Private Tour Operators appoint Rawaf Mina as official Saudi Service Provider

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced today that all licensed Nigerian private tour operators have agreed to appoint Rawaf Mina as the exclusive Saudi service provider for the 2026 Hajj season. The decision followed NAHCON‑led consultations that resulted in a detailed service agreement covering Masha’ir operations, transportation, catering and integration with the NUSUK/Masar platform.   In a statement signed by Fatima Sanda Usara ,Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations,NAHCON said the partnership is expected to raise service standards and strengthen collaboration between Nigerian operators and their Saudi counterparts. The…

Friday Sermon: Nyesom Wike, AM Yarima And The Display Of Bravery, Courage And Self-Respect! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In The Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most 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! Basically, courage, bravery, and self-respect are considered fundamental virtues and are widely regarded as essential characteristics for soldiers in the armed forces of any respectful nation.   These qualities are deeply ingrained through their military training and ethical codes, forming the…

Assist Those Who Really Love You! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful   Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.   Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, in Islam, assisting those who love and support you is not merely a social obligation but a deeply rewarded act of worship that strengthens community bonds and is a sign of true Iman. The principle is rooted in core Islamic…

2026 Hajj: CSO seeks Tinubu’s intervention, urges loan to save Nigerian pilgrims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based civil society organisation in the Hajj and Umrah industry, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the 36 state Governors to urgently provide a financial bailout to prevent Nigerian intending pilgrims from missing the 2026 Hajj.   In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for pre-Hajj preparations and attending the 5th Hajj and Umrah Conference in Jeddah, the organisation warned that Nigeria risk losing a significant portion of its Hajj quota if immediate…

Alaafin’s choice of Grand Imam divinely inspired, says Agunbiade

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A prominent member of the Oyo State Muslim community, Ambassador Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, has commended the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abdul Hakeem Owoade Elewuetu I, for what he described as a “visionary and divinely guided” decision in appointing Barrister Bilal Akinola Husayn Akeugberu, popularly known as Barrister Bilaah, as the new Grand Imam of Oyo.   Agunbiade, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday, congratulated the new Grand Imam, described his selection as “well-deserved” and a reflection of his piety, scholarship, and service to the Muslim…

NAHCON reduces 2026 Hajj fare, scraps slots allocation to states

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a downward review of the 2026 Hajj fares across all zones and cancelled the previous slots allocation to state pilgrim boards, adopting a first-come, first-served system. According to Fatima Sanda Usara, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations at NAHCON, the review followed extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders and approval from the appropriate authorities. She said the new rates now stand at ₦7,579,020.96 for the Maiduguri/Yola Zone (down from ₦8,118,033.67), ₦7,696,769.76 for the Northern Zone (previously ₦8,244,813.67), and ₦7,991,141.76 for the Southern…

NAHCON cuts 2026 hajj fare by up to ₦792,000, sets December 5 deadline

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a substantial reduction in the 2026 Hajj fare, offering significant financial relief to prospective Nigerian pilgrims. The revised fares reflected a drop of up to ₦792,943.83, depending on the pilgrim’s departure zone. The Southern Zone saw the largest reduction, with fares falling from ₦8,784,085.59 to ₦7,991,141.76. Pilgrims from the Northern Zone now pay ₦7,696,769.76, a ₦760,915.83 decrease, while those from the Borno–Adamawa Zone, the lowest nationally, will pay ₦7,579,020.96, saving ₦748,104.63.   NAHCON also set a new payment deadline of December…

No Christian Genocide in Nigeria – NSCIA ….. says violence affects all citizens, warns against foreign and domestic manipulation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has dismissed claims that there is a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, calling such assertions false, destabilising, and politically motivated. The statement was delivered during a press conference on Sunday, November 9, 2025, following the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”.   Addressing journalists and diplomats, the NSCIA emphasized that the violence in Nigeria is a national security crisis affecting all citizens, regardless of religion. The council said that groups like ISWAP and Boko Haram target both Muslims…