1.7m pilgrims converge on Arafat for Hajj’s most sacred rite

About 1.7 million pilgrims from across the world gathered at the Plain of Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims dressed in white ihram garments braved the scorching heat, estimated at 46 degrees Celsius, as they filled the valley and the surroundings of Mount Arafat in prayers, […]

About 1.7 million pilgrims from across the world gathered at the Plain of Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Pilgrims dressed in white ihram garments braved the scorching heat, estimated at 46 degrees Celsius, as they filled the valley and the surroundings of Mount Arafat in prayers, Qur’anic recitations and supplications.

Clutching umbrellas, prayer mats and bottles of water, the worshippers observed one of the most important rites of Hajj, seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.

The gathering brought together Muslims of different nationalities, races and social backgrounds in an atmosphere marked by devotion and spiritual reflection.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics announced that 1,707,301 pilgrims performed the 1447 AH (2026) Hajj.

According to the figures released on Tuesday, 1,546,655 pilgrims arrived from outside the kingdom, representing 90.6 per cent of the total number, while 160,646 Saudi citizens and residents participated from within the country.

Saudi authorities deployed extensive security, medical and logistics arrangements to manage the movement and welfare of pilgrims during the exercise.

From early morning until sunset, pilgrims steadily moved around the plains and Mount Arafat, engaging in prayers and acts of worship.

Many pilgrims described the Arafat experience as one of the most profound moments of their lives, with some saying it felt like “the closest point between life, death and spiritual rebirth.”

A Nigerian pilgrim, Amina Saliu, said she prayed for peace and progress in Nigeria.

“I prayed for Allah’s intervention in Nigeria’s affairs, peace in our communities and relief for people facing hardship,” she said.

As sunset approached, pilgrims began departing for Muzdalifah while chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik,” signifying submission to Allah’s call.

 

Muslims urged to shun extremism, division

The Imam and Khateeb of Masjid an-Nabawi, Ali Hudhaify, urged Muslims worldwide to uphold unity, fear Allah and avoid extremism, division and injustice.

Delivering the 1447AH/2026 Arafah sermon at Masjid Namirah in Makkah, Sheikh Hudhaify said the essence of Hajj was rooted in pure monotheism, obedience to Allah and adherence to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Addressing millions of pilgrims gathered on the Plain of Arafah, he urged Muslims to prepare for the Day of Judgment through righteous deeds, patience and avoidance of sins.

“O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the earthquake of the Hour is a tremendous thing,” he said while reminding worshippers about accountability before Allah.

The cleric stressed the importance of Tawheed as the foundation of Islam and warned against associating partners with Allah.

He said Hajj was not a platform for political slogans, disputes or division, but a sacred act of worship based on humility, discipline and unity among Muslims regardless of race or nationality.

“There is no wrongdoing in Hajj, no disputing, no political slogans or partisan calls, but submission to Allah and following the teachings of His Prophet,” he stated.

Sheikh Hudhaify also urged pilgrims to obey crowd control measures and directives of Saudi authorities to ensure safety during the pilgrimage.

Reflecting on the significance of Arafah, he described it as the place where Allah perfected Islam for humanity and recalled the farewell sermon of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which emphasised justice, equality and adherence to the Quran and Sunnah.

The Imam prayed for peace and unity among Muslims and commended Saudi authorities led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for facilitating the Hajj operations.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ismail Abba Yusuf, described the Day of Arafat as the pinnacle of Hajj and a period of mercy, forgiveness, supplication and total submission to Allah.

He said the sacred day reflects the values of humility, sacrifice, patience and unwavering faith, while offering pilgrims an opportunity for sincere repentance and renewed commitment to righteousness.

He said the commission had continued to review lessons from previous and ongoing Hajj operations to improve service delivery and enhance the welfare and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims.

Ambassador Yusuf noted that significant progress had been made in Hajj administration compared to previous years when pilgrims spent long periods in transit camps awaiting airlift, although he acknowledged that there was still room for improvement.

He assured pilgrims that after the Arafat exercise, the commission would assess operational challenges observed during the pilgrimage and strengthen supervision to better protect the interests of Nigerian pilgrims.

 

Cleric decries corruption, hardship in Nigeria

An Islamic scholar, Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, has decried corruption and worsening economic hardship in Nigeria, urging leaders to fear Allah and protect public resources.

Sokoto spoke during a special prayer session for Nigeria on the Day of Arafah in Makkah.

He warned public officials against corruption, stressing that leaders would account before Allah for how they managed public wealth.

“Today, corruption is the greatest destruction of our country, Nigeria. Infrastructure has collapsed, the poor are suffering, and there is no trust among Nigerians,” he said.

The cleric expressed concern over the suffering of citizens despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, noting that poverty and hardship continued to affect many families.

He urged pilgrims to pray for peace, stability and progress in Nigeria while appreciating Allah for granting them the opportunity to perform the 2026 Hajj.

According to him, the gathering on the Plain of Arafah remains one of the largest gatherings of humanity in the world.

“Allah granted pilgrims the privilege to be here not because of our power, wealth or knowledge, but because of His mercy,” he said.

Sokoto recalled that it was on the Plain of Arafah that Allah perfected Islam for Muslims through revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

He also reflected on the Prophet’s farewell sermon delivered more than 1,400 years ago, which emphasised the sanctity of human life, equality and adherence to the Quran and Sunnah.

The scholar urged Nigerian leaders to embrace accountability, justice and proper management of public resources for the benefit of citizens.