2023 Hajj: Nigeria Ranks Fifth Among Saudi’s 1.8 Million Pilgrims; Success and Challenges Revealed

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, played host to nearly two million pilgrims from over 150 countries for the 2023/1444AH Hajj, marking the first maximum-capacity exercise since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hajj, considered the fifth pillar of Islam, is a once-in-a-lifetime journey for able-bodied Muslims who can afford it, uniting adherents regardless of their backgrounds.

According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), 1,845,045 pilgrims converged in Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage. A majority of these pilgrims, 90%, arrived through various ports, while 10% consisted of domestic pilgrims, including both citizens and residents.

The gender breakdown of pilgrims saw 53% male and 47% female participants. Arab countries contributed 21% of the total number, with 346,214 pilgrims. Asian countries accounted for 63.5% with 1,056,317 pilgrims, while African countries, excluding Arab nations, represented 13.4% with Nigeria leading the contingent at 5%. Pilgrims from Europe, America, Australia, and unclassified countries totaled 2.1% with 36,521 participants.

Before the pandemic, the Hajj witnessed millions of pilgrims, with the highest turnout recorded in 2012 at approximately 3.25 million. However, the pandemic disrupted these numbers, with foreign pilgrims barred in 2020, leading to just 1,000 Saudi citizens and residents participating. Subsequent years saw gradual increases in pilgrim quotas.

In preparation for the 2023 Hajj, Saudi Arabia announced a return to pre-pandemic arrangements, aiming for an estimated 2.5 million worldwide pilgrims. While the actual number fell short of this projection, the authorities declared it a success.

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The Minister of Health, Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel, commended the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support. Over 36,000 health and 22,000 security personnel, including volunteers, ensured pilgrim safety, and the use of advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), improved security measures.

Security was a top priority, resulting in the arrest of 17,615 individuals attempting to perform Hajj without the necessary permits, with 9,509 detained for violating labor, residency, and border security regulations. Employing AI for crowd management at holy sites enhanced security and safety for pilgrims.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) expressed its delight at the success of the 2023 Hajj. Nigeria sent a full delegation for the first time in nearly a decade, comprising over 400,000 pilgrims who received health services, including surgeries, dialysis sessions, and virtual healthcare. Over 8,000 cases of heatstroke were treated, highlighting the effectiveness of awareness campaigns during Hajj.

The Ministry of the Interior confirmed the success of the security plan for the 2023 Hajj, underlining the importance of security and safety during pilgrimage seasons.

Finally, the 2023 Hajj, though not reaching the projected numbers, was a success marked by meticulous planning, advanced technology, and robust security measures, ensuring the safety and well-being of pilgrims from around the world.

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