By Stanley Onyekwere
A total of 1,540 pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have successfully completed the core rituals of the 2026 Hajj, climaxing with a massive spiritual gathering and national prayer session on the Plains of Mount Arafat.
Marking the hallmark of the annual Islamic pilgrimage, FCT pilgrims joined roughly two million Muslims from around the globe to perform the symbolic day of supplication, stripping away worldly luxuries to focus entirely on spiritual reflection.
Following the combined Zuhr and Asr prayers at the FCT Tent, the board’s Islamic scholars (Ulamah) led the contingent in a synchronized prayer session dedicated strictly to the peace, security, and economic recovery of Nigeria.
A statement signed by the Chief Information Officer,FCT MPWB Abuja, Ahmad Saleh, disclosed that while addressing the congregation, FCT Islamic preachers reminded pilgrims of their civic and spiritual obligations to their homeland, emphasizing that a prosperous Nigeria is possible through divine guidance and patriotic leadership.
“Nigeria is our country and we don’t have any other. We ask God in His infinite mercy to salvage, secure, and develop Nigeria, and to guide and direct its leaders to the right path.
Nigeria can aspire to become a developed nation like the US, UK, or China, and even surpass Saudi Arabia,” one of the session’s preachers remarked.
In his congratulatory message to the contingent, the Director of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Kadiri Edah, commended the pilgrims for their resilience and exemplary conduct throughout the arduous spiritual exercise.
Malam Edah extended the board’s deep appreciation to the FCT Administration, specifically praising FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for providing the critical logistics and administrative support required to ensure a hitch-free operation.
He reaffirmed that the board’s commitment to the total welfare of its pilgrims remains unflinching, actively aligning its operations with the federal government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
With the intense spiritual obligations of Arafat Day concluded, the 1,540 FCT pilgrims have begun moving back to the Muna Tents City to round off the remaining minor rituals of the pilgrimage.
The FCT MPWB has assured families back home that comprehensive welfare structures are in place as the board begins preparations for the pilgrims’ safe return to Abuja.
