Reporter’s Diary: Hajj 2025: A journey through sacred sites
Although not a first timer, performing the 2025 Hajj was evidently a profound experience, being one of the privileged guests of King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The trip which lasted for 16 days (May 27 to June 12, 2025), was extraordinary and unforgettable. Alongside over 1,300 guests from more than 100 countries and 1,000 Palestinians, I […]
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Although not a first timer, performing the 2025 Hajj was evidently a profound experience, being one of the privileged guests of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
The trip which lasted for 16 days (May 27 to June 12, 2025), was extraordinary and unforgettable. Alongside over 1,300 guests from more than 100 countries and 1,000 Palestinians, I was part of a spiritually rich and physically rewarding pilgrimage, representing Nigeria in a most dignified manner. Twenty of us were selected from Nigeria.
When we arrived in Makkah from Madinah, already in Ihram, and after settling into our hotel, we proceeded straight to Masjid al-Haram for Umrah. We performed Tawaf, and then, Sa’i between Safa and Marwa, drank from the blessed Zamzam and shaved our hair, thereby completing a rejuvenating prelude to the Hajj.
The Zamzam well, located within the Masjid al-Haram, is among Islam’s most sacred landmarks. It dates back over 4,000 years, when Hajar (AS), wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), searched for water for her son, Isma’il (AS). In response to her unwavering faith, Angel Jibril struck the ground and water miraculously gushed forth.
The well has never dried up in its long history. It produces an average of 11 to 18.5 litres per second, amounting to over 20 million litres annually. The water is renowned not only for its purity but also for its spiritual and medicinal qualities; and pilgrims drink it during Hajj and Umrah rituals.
Zamzam water is stored and cooled in stainless steel tanks near the mosque. It is also transported to Madinah daily in special tankers and distributed at Masjid an-Nabawi.
While Makkah has other wells, none matches the divine origin and spiritual status of Zamzam. Its uninterrupted flow continues to be a sign of Allah’s mercy and a thoughtful symbol of Islamic faith and heritage. Therefore, for centuries, pilgrims take the Zamzam with relish and a sense of fulfillment.
The making of cloths for Kaaba
A few days later, we had the rare opportunity to visit the Kiswa Factory, where the sacred cloth covering the Kaaba is produced. This is not part of the Hajj rituals, but privileged pilgrims normally get the opportunity to visit the workshop. We witnessed each step, from silk processing to Qur’anic embroidery, with gold and silver threads carried out with devotion and precision.
The Kiswa Factory, officially the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, is located in Umm Al-Joud, Makkah. It is the only facility in the world dedicated to producing the cloth that covers the Kaaba. Established in 1977, the factory employs dozens of skilled Saudi artisans, including weavers, embroiders and calligraphers.
Each year, the factory produces new Kiswa using pure black silk, gold and silver threads to embroider Qur’anic verses. The intricate process combines modern technology with traditional craftsmanship.
The new Kiswa is draped on the Kaaba every 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Arafat. The factory also includes a visitors’ centre and exhibition space, making it a valuable cultural stop for pilgrims.
The ‘retired’ Kiswa is not discarded or sold commercially, instead, it is cut into smaller sections, which gifted to heads of state, Islamic institutions, scholars and dignitaries. Part of it is also preserved in museums like the Two Holy Mosques Exhibition in Makkah.
Ghar Hira: Where Qur’an was first revealed
From there, we visited the Cave of Hira (Ghar Hira), and standing near it atop Jabal al-Nour was a deeply humbling experience.
Located at the base of the mountain is the Hira Cultural District, which was inaugurated in 2023 to commemorate the site where the first revelation of the Qur’an was sent to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The museum includes a Visitor Centre, a Revelation Gallery and the Holy Qur’an Museum, which features rare manuscripts and interactive exhibits tracing the Qur’an’s compilation and preservation.
It was told that after receiving the first revelation, Prophet Muhammad was deeply shaken and sought reassurance from his wife, Khadijah. She, in turn, took him to her cousin, Waraqah Ibn Nawfal, who identified Angel Gabriel and confirmed Muhammad’s prophetic status. Following this, there was a period of silence in the revelations, which caused Muhammad some anxiety and distress. When the revelations resumed, Muhammad began preaching, initially privately to his close family and friends.
The museum offers a blend of faith, history and education for pilgrims and tourists alike.
The Hajj proper
When the days of Hajj arrived, we proceeded to the Plains of Arafat, which marked the climax of the pilgrimage. Despite the intense summer heat, the Saudi authorities ensured comfort with air-conditioned tents and mist fans. After sunset, we moved to Muzdalifah, spent part of the night under the stars and moved to Mina with our pebbles specially for the symbolic stoning. In the morning, we went to the Jamarat, where we performed the ritual of stoning the devil. Afterwards, we returned to Makkah for Tawaf al-Ifadah and another Sa’i, marking a key milestone in the Hajj rites.
We returned to Mina and had the final shaving of the head, followed by the stoning of the devil for two more days, marking the completion of rituals.
During the 2025 Hajj, hundreds of thousands of sacrificial animals, including sheep, camel and cow, were slaughtered on behalf of pilgrims.
Slaughtering took place in high-capacity abattoirs in Mina, capable of processing up to 300,000 animals per day. The project employed over 16,000 workers, including butchers, veterinary doctors, Islamic scholars and administrative staff.
Annually, the meat is packaged, preserved and distributed globally to the poor in over 30 countries.
For pilgrims, the process was seamless, with sacrificial vouchers available through official platforms.
Notably, King Salman sponsored the sacrificial animals for all his royal guests, including all of us from Nigeria.
Undoubtedly, at the end of the Hajj activities, we felt the weight of our sins lifted. It was a spiritually fulfilling, physically challenging, yet divinely rewarding journey.
The city of the Prophet
After Hajj, we travelled to Madinah, where we visited the Quba Mosque, the first mosque built in Islam.
History has it that when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated from Makkah to Madina in 622 CE, he paused at a small village just outside the city. There, under the warm sun and among date palms, he laid the foundation of what would become the first mosque in Islam, Masjid Quba. With his own hands, he placed bricks alongside his companions, establishing not just a building, but a symbol of faith, unity and devotion.
The Prophet would return to the mosque every Saturday, sometimes walking, other times riding, just to pray within its walls. He once said, “Whoever makes ablution at home and prays in Quba Mosque will have a reward like that of an Umrah.”
Over the centuries, rulers and believers preserved and expanded the mosque. From the early Umayyad renovations to modern Saudi enhancements, Quba has retained its spiritual core while embracing architectural beauty. White domes now gleam above vast prayer halls, welcoming pilgrims and worshippers from around the world.
Home of the Qur’an
We also visited the King Fahd Complex for the printing of the Holy Qur’an.
It is a massive facility dedicated to producing and distributing the Quran. Till date, the facility remains the largest institution of its kind globally, specialising in printing, recording recitations and conducting research related to the Quran.
We were briefed on the printing process, the scale of global Qur’an distribution and the dedicated workforce behind the effort.
A moment in the beloved Rawdah
One of the most emotional highlights was entering the Rawdah in the Prophet’s Mosque, a revered section considered part of paradise. Offering prayers there was a moment beyond words. It is the area between the tomb of the Prophet and his minbar (pulpit) that has remain a place of immense spiritual and historical significance. It contains six pillars, which stand on the exact places where the original columns, made from date palm trunks, stood during the life of the Prophet. Entering the Rawdah is actually a privileged and gaining access remains competitive. However, with the adoption of an app, Saudi authorities have made the process easier.
Mount Uhud and its significance
We were also at the famous Mount Uhud, located north of Madinah. It is one of the most sacred sites in Islamic history. It was the scene of the Battle of Uhud in 625 CE (3 AH), where the Muslims faced the Quraysh army in the second major battle of Islam. Though initially successful, the Muslims suffered a setback when some archers disobeyed the Prophet’s (SAW) instructions and left their assigned positions. This allowed a counterattack led by Khalid Ibn al-Walid, resulting in the martyrdom of over 70 companions.
Among those killed was Hamza Ibn Abdul-Muttalib, the beloved uncle of the Prophet (SAW), known as the “Lion of Allah.” He was buried at the foot of Mount Uhud, alongside other martyrs of the battle.
Today, Mount Uhud is a significant pilgrimage and historical site visited by millions of Muslims. The Prophet (SAW) once said: “Uhud is a mountain that loves us, and we love it.”
Undoubtedly, this year’s Hajj was an exceptional experience for some of us. From air tickets to accommodation and feeding, local transport, sacrificial animals, laundry services, cost of barbing, two sets of Ihram, a hand bag and every single detail of our pilgrimage were taken care of by the Saudi government under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. It was truly a first-class spiritual voyage every Muslim will wish to have.