Follow Us on Google
By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Government has concluded the airlift of its 2026 Hajj intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking the successful deployment of all contingents scheduled for the spiritual exercise.
A total of 1,590 pilgrims have so far arrived in the Holy Land out of the 1,600 originally slated for the journey, according to officials overseeing the operation.
The final batches departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Tuesday, May 12, and Wednesday, May 13, 2026, conveying 418 pilgrims comprising 222 males and 196 females. A subsequent group of 145 pilgrims—made up of 72 males and 73 females—also arrived, rounding off the airlift exercise.
Officials confirmed that pilgrims who arrived in earlier flights have since moved from Madinah to Makkah to continue the rites of the pilgrimage.
Other News
In line with Hajj rituals, the pilgrims departed Madinah in the state of Ihram, stopping briefly at the Miqat on the outskirts of the city to perform two raka’ats of Nafl prayers and declare their Niyyah (intention) for Umrah before proceeding to Makkah.
On arrival in Makkah, the pilgrims joined millions of faithful in performing Tawaf al-Qudum, the circumambulation of the Kaabah, followed by Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, after which they trimmed their hair in observance of the completion of Umrah rites.
They were subsequently expected to return to their accommodation, change out of the state of Ihram, and prepare for the main Hajj rituals scheduled to commence on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
Meanwhile, the remaining pilgrims from the fourth and fifth flights are expected to depart Madinah between Saturday and Sunday to join other Lagos contingents in Makkah ahead of the peak Hajj period.
Yahoo Mail: Search, organise, conquer
