Tag: Saudi Arabia

Saudi declares today start of Ramadan

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Saudi on Ramadan

Saudi Arabia has announced today Wednesday, February 18, as the first day of Ramadan 2026. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the crescent moon was sighted on Tuesday night. Several other countries, including Qatar, also declared Wednesday as the start of the holy month. In Nigeria, Muslims are awaiting an official declaration from the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar. As President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, his announcement determines the formal commencement of fasting nationwide. The Council had urged Muslims across the country to search for…

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S’Arabia free 3 Nigerian pilgrims implicated for drug trafficking

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S'Arabia frees 3 Nigerians

Three Nigerian pilgrims detained for alleged drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia have been released. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), announced this at a presser yesterday. The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that their release followed an engagement between the NDLEA and the Saudi government. He said the three pilgrims would soon arrive in the country. “Saudi Arabia authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah since last month following their arrest over alleged drug trafficking. The 3 Nigerians who were freed…

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Saudi authorities set deadlines for 2026 Hajj

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National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON), has said Saudi Authorities have set deadlines for the 2026 Hajj operations, saying the deadlines remain sacrosanct to ensure a smooth, well-coordinated, and successful exercise. In an issued statement by its Information Officer, AbdulBasit Abba, in Abuja yesterday, NAHCIN said that this was revealed at a virtual meeting with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on the preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise. He said that the meeting was led by Ustaz Abdallah Ash-Shihry, Acting Director-General and Special Assistant to the Deputy Minister…

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Saudi Arabia declares June 6 as Eid-el-Adha, after crescent moon sighting

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Saudi Arabia declares

Saudi Arabia has officially announced the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon, marking the beginning of the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. According to Haramain Sharifain, a prominent Saudi-based Islamic news platform, the new month will commence today, Wednesday. The sighting sets the stage for key Islamic observances that follow in the month of Dhul Hijjah, including the Day of Arafah on Thursday, June 5, and Eid-el-Adha (Sallah) on Friday, June 6. The Day of Arafah is the spiritual peak of the Hajj pilgrimage, during…

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2025 Hajj: Saudi Arabia deports Sheikh Gumi

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S'Arabia deports Gumi

Saudi authorities have barred and deported prominent Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, despite initially granting him a visa. Sheikh Gumi, who confirmed the development yesterday, by posting on his official Facebook page, explained that although he received a visa for Hajj, he was denied entry into Medina, where he was scheduled to commence his religious rites. According to reports, Sheikh Gumi was traveling with a delegation of Islamic scholars sponsored by the Nigerian Hajj Commission, (NAHCON). He arrived in Medina last Saturday…

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S’Arabia Govt limits visas for travelers from Nigeria, 13 other countries 

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S'Arabia limits visas

Saudi Arabia has implemented a new visa policy that restricts visitors from Nigeria and 13 other countries to single-entry visas. The change, already in effect this February, is directed at curbing unauthorised Hajj pilgrimages and ensuring the safety of those attending the religious event. Travelers from these nations will no longer have access to the one-year multiple-entry visa for tourism, business, and family visits. According to TravelBiz, Saudi Arabia has suspended the one-year multiple-entry visa for travelers from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan,…

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Tinubu, in S’Arabia, backs 2-State solution in Gaza; demands end to Israeli aggression

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Tinubu in S'Arabia

President Bola Tinubu has called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza. Tinubu, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, warned that “empty condemnations” are not enough to end the conflict in Palestine, which, he said, “has persisted for far too long.” The Nigerian leader made this argument at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, convened to address the current situation in the Middle-East. The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit of 2023 and was attended by Heads of State and Government from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, (OIC), and the…

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IDPs: Zamfara gets $2.5m humanitarian aid from Saudi Arabia

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Zamfara IDPs

Zamfara State government says it has received $2.5million from Saudi Arabian Donor Agency to support internally displaced persons with humanitarian challenges. Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters, Musa Kainuwa, disclosed this at the closing session of a 5-day medical training on Minimum Initial Service Package, (MISP), in Gusau, the State capital, on Friday. The training was organised by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, in collaboration with State Ministry for Humanitarian and Relief Matters. Kainuwa said the State secured the assistance during a joint meeting between the donor organisation, Jigawa,…

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Hajj 2024: Airlift of pilgrims begins tomorrow

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Hajj2024

…NAHCON advance team arrives S’Arabia As the airlift of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj season begins tomorrow, Wednesday,  the outcome of preparations would manifest with the planned take-off of 428 passengers on FlyNas airline to Saudi Arabia. The inaugural flight is scheduled to take-off with Kebbi state pilgrims from the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. To witness the occasion are diplomats, members of the Hajj industry, with the Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shettima as Special Guest of Honour. An advance team of officials comprising…

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Tinubu departs to Netherlands on official visit

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Tinubu departs

President Bola Tinubu will today, Tuesday, depart Abuja for the Kingdom of the Netherlands on an official visit. A statement by Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, yesterday, said, “On the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, President Tinubu will engage in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister, as well as hold separate meetings with His Royal Majesty, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Kingdom, who is the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA)”. “While in…

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