A faith-based civil society organisation, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has warned the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), state pilgrims’ welfare boards and tour operators to urgently overhaul pilgrims’ enlightenment programmes ahead of the 2027 Hajj or risk exposing Nigerian pilgrims to sanctions under Saudi Arabian laws.
The group said the current focus on spiritual tutoring and the teaching of Hajj rites was no longer sufficient, stressing that pilgrims must also be adequately informed about Saudi Arabia’s legal, health, security, administrative and behavioural requirements.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, IHR called on NAHCON to introduce a mandatory and standardised pilgrims’ enlightenment curriculum for all states and licensed tour operators.
The organisation said the proposed curriculum should go beyond religious rituals to cover registration procedures, Hajj timelines, travel and security guidelines, prohibited activities, health regulations and pilgrims’ rights and responsibilities.
“Pilgrims’ enlightenment and education goes beyond spiritual tutoring about Hajj rites and religious rituals as they are being taught at present,” IHR said.
It proposed that the new curriculum should include updated registration procedures and Hajj timelines, travel and security guidelines, prohibited activities in Saudi Arabia, regulations governing the carriage of prescription and controlled medications, as well as appropriate conduct during the pilgrimage.
IHR particularly raised concerns over Saudi Arabia’s regulations on prescription and controlled drugs, saying Nigerian pilgrims travelling with such medications must be properly enlightened about requirements for electronic clearance and prior approval from Saudi authorities.
The group also urged NAHCON and other Hajj stakeholders to educate pilgrims on Saudi Arabia’s strict restrictions on political and sectarian activities at the holy sites.
“States and tour operators should ensure that pilgrims are adequately enlightened that Saudi Arabia maintains strict restrictions on political and sectarian activities at the holy sites during Hajj.
“Political flags, sectarian banners, slogans, chants and other forms of political expression are prohibited. Pilgrims must understand that participation in or display of such materials could attract serious consequences under Saudi regulations,” IHR warned.
The organisation further advised that pilgrims should receive spiritual and behavioural guidance against violence, as well as improper photography and videography while performing Hajj rites.
IHR maintained that effective pilgrims’ education should be treated as a core component of Hajj preparation rather than a routine religious lecture.
It therefore called on NAHCON to work closely with state pilgrims’ welfare boards, licensed tour operators, religious scholars, security agencies and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive enlightenment framework before the commencement of preparations for the 2027 Hajj.
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According to the group, the ultimate goal should be to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims are not only spiritually prepared for the journey but are also fully aware of the legal, security, health, administrative and behavioural obligations governing the pilgrimage.
IHR warned that failure to urgently reconfigure the enlightenment process could leave pilgrims vulnerable to avoidable violations and the serious consequences attached to Saudi Arabia’s regulations.
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