2026 Hajj: NAHCON Engages Ulama On Pilgrims’ Education, Spiritual Guidance

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Yusuf Abba, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to deepening pilgrims’ education and spiritual preparedness ahead of the 2026 Hajj.

He expressed the commitment during a strategic engagement and inauguration of the 2026 Hajj Ulama Team at the Hajj House in Abuja.

The meeting, according to a statement signed by Fatima Sanda Usara, deputy director of information and publications, NAHCON and made available to reporters yesterday, brought together 120 respected, prominent Islamic clerics from across the country, including Professor Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, Sheikh Bala Lau, Sheikh Abdulmuhyi Nasir representing Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, Sheikh Abdulrahman Olanrewaju Ahmed, Sheikh Nasir Adam, Sheikh Muhammad Kabir Haruna Gombe, Sheikh Usman Usman Dahiru Bauchi, Dr Isa Akindele Solahuddeen, among many others.

Central to the discussion was NAHCON’s primary focus on Pilgrims’ Education and Orientation. The Chairman tasked the Ulama to support the Commission in conducting intensive sensitisation sessions in multiple languages before and during the Hajj. Their guidance, he stressed, should focus on equipping pilgrims with a clear understanding of the rudiments and essential aspects of Hajj rites so that they can correctly perform their religious obligations.

He said that the need for continuous guidance, as well as prompt response to pilgrims’ questions and concerns, particularly in situations that may affect the validity of their Hajj.

The Ulama Team will also organise special prayer sessions at key locations during Hajj, particularly at Arafat, for Nigerian leaders, national security, unity, peace, and economic prosperity.

Professor Bashir Umar encouraged all clerics at the meeting to guide their respective congregations to pray for peaceful elections in Nigeria, as the 2027 hajj falls within the 2027 general election cycle.

The Ulama collectively emphasised the importance of nurturing pilgrims’ mental readiness, encouraging unity, sincerity, patience, and total devotion to Allah, while reinforcing the significance of Hajj as a transformative act of worship. The Team affirmed its readiness to ensure a spiritually fulfilling experience for Nigerian pilgrims.