The Amirul Hajj for the 2026 pilgrimage from Katsina State, Barrister Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq, has called for patience, sacrifice and strict adherence to guidelines as stakeholders intensify preparations for a smooth Hajj exercise.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting with members of the Katsina State Hajj delegation, El-Marzuq emphasised that Hajj requires tolerance and understanding, noting that pilgrims would interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
He urged all officials and service providers to discharge their responsibilities with sincerity and the fear of Allah, expressing confidence in the team assembled to coordinate the pilgrimage. The Amirul Hajj also appealed to religious leaders to guide pilgrims responsibly and in line with Islamic teachings.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board (KSPWB), Yunusa Abdullahi Dankama, said the meeting was aimed at strengthening synergy, cooperation and support among stakeholders. He expressed satisfaction with the level of collaboration recorded so far and called for its sustenance.
The female Coordinator of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) assured that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure the welfare of pilgrims in Madinah, including security, accommodation and feeding. She added that pilgrims had been organised into groups of 45 to enhance coordination.
Airline operator Max Air confirmed submission of flight schedules to the board and said measures had been introduced to address challenges experienced in previous operations, particularly baggage handling. The airline cautioned against excess luggage, noting the additional costs involved, and stressed the importance of timely communication on passenger substitutions to avoid penalties.
Director of Operations of the KSPWB, Dr. Nasiru Ɗan-Zaria, disclosed that visa processing and immunisation for intending pilgrims had been completed, while flight schedules would soon be released. He added that relevant committees had been constituted to oversee various aspects of the exercise. Dr. Ɗan-Zaria, however, reported that one intending pilgrim from the Funtua area had died, while another was currently ill. He also requested a list of prohibited items for proper sensitisation of pilgrims.
At the airport, the Chief Security Officer announced the availability of two screening machines for the operation, an improvement from the previous year, and warned against carrying restricted items such as pepper, knives and large quantities of kolanut in hand luggage.
The Airport Manager reiterated that concealment of prohibited items is a criminal offence and assured that facilities, including power supply, were fully functional. He maintained that hand luggage must not exceed 8 kilograms and called for punctuality among security agencies. He also directed that on-duty identification cards be strictly used, with agencies required to submit names of personnel for processing, including vehicle passes.
The Nigeria Customs Service highlighted the importance of currency declaration, warning that non-compliance could create complications for pilgrims. It also cautioned against importing prohibited items such as drones and noted that goods in commercial quantities would attract duty. The service appealed for provision of office accommodation at the airport to enhance its operations.
One of the appointed preachers, Dr. Ahmad Filin-Samji, called for unity and cooperation but criticised the selection of some clerics at the local government level, alleging that unqualified individuals sometimes mislead pilgrims.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure a successful and hitch-free Hajj exercise for Katsina State pilgrims in 2026.
