The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced that approximately 3,700 intending pilgrims have been successfully airlifted to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. The transportation was completed in 12 flights, with operations commencing last Wednesday following an official flag-off ceremony by the state government.

Pilgrims from various local government areas including Giwa, Ikara, Kauru, Jaba, Makarfi, Kaduna South, Kaura, Lere, Kudan, Sanga, Kubau, Zangon Kataf, and Zaria were flown directly to Madinah, where they are scheduled to spend four days visiting the Prophet's Mosque and other sacred Islamic sites before proceeding to Makkah.

The Kaduna delegation is being led by the Emir of Kauru, Alhaji Yau Shehu Usman. According to Malam Kasim Aminu, a member of the Kaduna contingent currently in Madinah, all pilgrims are in good health and high spirits as they embark on their spiritual journey.

"The pilgrims have now begun departing Madinah for Makkah after completing their scheduled four-day stay," Aminu stated. He further revealed that the first group from Kaduna has already arrived in Makkah, where they received what he described as an emotional "red carpet welcome that brought many to tears."

To date, 910 Kaduna pilgrims have successfully relocated to Makkah in preparation for the main Hajj rites, which are expected to commence in early June.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey at least once in their lifetime.