New Crescent International Travels organises seminar for intending pilgrims, set for airlift May 19th
A leading Hajj and Umrah Agency, the New Crescent International Travels Limited, has organised a one-day seminar for her intending pilgrims to this year’s Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
The seminar was aimed at equipping the pilgrims with essential information and guidance to facilitate their seamsless participation in the holy pilgrimage. It offers insights into the rites, history, and spiritual importance of Hajj, helping pilgrims prepare meaningfully.
In his address, the Managing Director of New Crescent International Travels Limited, Alhaji Abdul-Jabar Sanni called on the pilgrims to strictly follow guidelines, listen to their guides, and be tolerant of each other, highlighting that the entire process lasts only a few days.
Alhaji Sanni announced that pilgrims with the organisation will be airlifted on May 19th in the morning, followed by a visit to historical sites in Medina on May 21st, and travel from Medina to Mecca on May 22nd, 2026 while pilgrims will then move from Mecca to Mina on May 25th, 2026, to perform Hajj rites, and return to Mecca on May 29th. The return journey will be on June 4th, 2026.
He emphasised that the pilgrims must exercise patience and restraint from worldly activities during Hajj, saying that the company has arranged for smooth logistics, including food provisions; Nigerian food will be available throughout, while food in Mina is managed by Saudi authorities.
An Islamic scholar and member of the agency Alhaji Abdul-Semiu Oyebo, explained that Hajj falls into three categories: Ifrad, Qiran, and Tamattu. He outlined the pillars of Hajj: donning Ihram with the intention of performing Hajj or Umrah, performing Tawaf, and standing on Mount Arafat.
Alhaji Oyebo said that during Ihram, pilgrims must avoid cutting nails or hair, detailing that the start of Hajj on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, when pilgrims enter Ihram and move to Mina for rituals, then proceed to Mount Arafat for prayers and sermons.
He said that from Arafat to Muzdalifah, pilgrims observe Maghrib and Isha prayers, sleep, and collect pebbles for the next day’s ritual at Jamrah, where they stone the devil.
A medical practitioner, Dr Lawal Bakare from the Federal Ministry of Health praised the organiser of the seminar to provide detail information about the hajj rites and the health of the pilgrims.
He advised pilgrims to conserve energy and be well-prepared, especially considering the high temperatures in the Holy Land, recommending that those with medical conditions should inform the medical team of their conditions for proper management and medication.
Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Giwa led the pilgrims in committing the journey into the hands of God praying for a hitch-free hajj exercise and safe return in peace.
