Over 1.6 Million Pilgrims Complete Hajj 2025 in Saudi Arabia Amid Enhanced Services

 The Hajj 2025 pilgrimage concluded on June 8, 2025, in Saudi Arabia, with over 1.6 million Muslims from across the globe fulfilling the sacred rites in Mecca and its environs.

The annual Islamic pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, saw pilgrims perform rituals including Tawaf around the Kaaba, standing at Arafat, and the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina, under stringent safety and logistical measures. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj reported a diverse congregation, with significant participation from Nigeria, Indonesia, and Pakistan, facilitated by advanced digital platforms like the Nusuk app, which streamlined visa and service access.

The pilgrimage, culminating in Eid al-Adha celebrations, proceeded smoothly despite temperatures exceeding 45°C, thanks to expanded cooling stations, medical facilities, and crowd management protocols. Saudi authorities deployed over 120,000 personnel, including security and healthcare workers, to ensure safety, with 32,000 medics treating heat-related ailments.

The Grand Mosque’s expansion and Mina’s upgraded tent city accommodated the influx, while eco-friendly initiatives reduced waste. Nigeria’s National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) airlifted 95,000 pilgrims, though concerns arose over fraudulent currency exchange schemes, prompting warnings from clerics like Imam Abubakr Ali-Agan. Saudi Minister of Hajj, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, hailed the event’s success, crediting King Salman’s vision. The pilgrimage, a profound spiritual journey, left pilgrims like Lagos-based Aisha Muhammed inspired, as global Muslims celebrated unity and devotion.