The Kwara State Government will begin the airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise on May 6, 2026, with departures scheduled from the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport to Saudi Arabia.
- +2026 Hajj: Kwara begins airlift of intending pilgrims May 6
The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, disclosed this on Sunday during an enlightenment programme organised for prospective pilgrims at the Board’s premises in Ilorin.
The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, disclosed this on Sunday during an enlightenment programme organised for prospective pilgrims at the Board’s premises in Ilorin.
“Airlift of intending pilgrims from Kwara State will commence on the sixth of next month from the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin to Saudi Arabia,” Abdulkadir said.
He added that the exercise would be conducted in batches to ensure a seamless process.
“The second batch of pilgrims will depart on the seventh, while the third batch will depart on the ninth of next month,” he stated.
Abdulkadir further revealed that Saudi authorities had introduced identification measures to enhance coordination and safety during the pilgrimage.
“Saudi Arabia has produced ID cards containing pilgrims’ details, which will be issued to them upon arrival in Medina to enable them to perform their Hajj rites in Mecca,” he explained.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board, Mashood Mahmud-Jimba, commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his sustained support toward successful Hajj operations in the state.
“I want to commend the Governor for his unwavering support in ensuring a smooth Hajj operation for Kwara pilgrims,” Mahmud-Jimba said.
“We give thanks to Almighty Allah for the successful preparations so far, and for the Governor’s continued commitment to facilitating seamless Hajj operations,” he added.
The chairman also assured intending pilgrims that necessary logistics had been fully arranged ahead of their arrival in Saudi Arabia.
“In Saudi Arabia, accommodation, transportation and tents at Mina and Arafat have been secured and are ready for the exercise,” he noted.
Delivering a lecture at the programme, the Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Abdullateef Kamaldeen, urged the pilgrims to uphold righteousness throughout the spiritual journey.
“Intending pilgrims must perform their Hajj with the fear of Allah,” Kamaldeen advised.
“You should remain patient while in the Holy Land in order to have a successful Hajj exercise,” he said.
Special prayers were later offered for a hitch-free operation, led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Abdulhameed Abdullahi, alongside Imam Gambari, Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin, and this year’s Amir Hajj, the Etsu Tsaragi, Aliyu Kpotwa.
