The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, on Tuesday organised a special prayer session for Nigeria as part of activities marking the Day of Arafat.
The prayer session took place as millions of Muslim pilgrims across the world gathered at Mount Arafat for the peak of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The session was led by members of NAHCON’s National Ulama Team and attended by lawmakers, management staff of the commission and Nigerian pilgrims.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Amb. Ismail Yusuf, said the commission deemed it necessary to organise the prayers in view of the social and political challenges facing the country.
Yusuf, who was represented by the Commissioner for Planning, Research, Information and Library Services, Prof. Abubakar Yagawwal, urged Nigerian pilgrims to remember the country in their prayers.
According to him, the magnitude of the nation’s challenges requires divine intervention.
Also speaking, a member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Sani Madaki, commended the leadership of NAHCON for organising the prayer session.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that prayers were offered in Arabic, English and some Nigerian languages, including Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Nupe and Afemai.
Meanwhile, Yusuf extended greetings to Nigerian pilgrims on the occasion of the Day of Arafat, describing it as the pinnacle of Hajj and a day dedicated to mercy, forgiveness and supplication.
“This blessed day reminds us of the timeless values of humility, sacrifice, patience and unwavering faith.
“It is a moment for deep reflection, sincere repentance and renewed commitment to righteousness and service to humanity,” he said.
The NAHCON chairman noted that the commission had continued to review previous and current Hajj operations with the aim of improving service delivery and pilgrims’ welfare.
“We have indeed come a long way from the days when pilgrims spent long periods in transit camps awaiting airlift to the more coordinated and efficient Hajj operations we witness today.
“Despite the progress made, we remain conscious that there is still room for improvement,” he added.
Yusuf further assured pilgrims that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure a safe and hitch-free return journey after Hajj.
He also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, stakeholders, partners, management staff and pilgrims for their support toward the success of the 2026 Hajj operations.
“As we observe the Day of Arafat, may Allah accept our prayers, forgive our shortcomings and guide us to choose sacrifice over selfishness, unity over division and wisdom over frustration,” he said.
