2026 HAJJ: FCTMPWB BEGINS ORIENTATION AND COMPULSORY MEDICAL SCREENING FOR INTENDING PILGRIMS
By: Mohammed Aliyu
As part of preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has concluded arrangements to commence education and orientation programmes for intending pilgrims this weekend.
The Board will also conduct compulsory medical screening for all intending pilgrims who have registered to participate in this year’s spiritual journey to the Holy Land.
The Director of the Board, Mallam Kadiri Edah, disclosed this in Abuja, stating that the programmes form part of activities lined up to ensure a successful Hajj operation.
Mallam Edah explained that the first phase of the education and orientation exercise for intending pilgrims will begin on Saturday, 10th and Sunday, 11th January 2026, at the FCTA Permanent Hajj Camp, Basan Jiwa, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to him, Islamic scholars have already been mobilised for the exercise to prepare the intending pilgrims for a smooth Hajj experience.
He added that the programme would be conducted in phases and delivered in seven languages, as is customary, to enable pilgrims to fully understand the Hajj rites as well as new policies introduced for this year’s Hajj by the Saudi authorities and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The Director further disclosed that the Board has mapped out strategies to properly educate pilgrims on the religious exercise, particularly in view of the new policies introduced by the Saudi Arabian government, which may pose additional challenges to the success of the journey.
He urged all intending pilgrims from the Territory to participate fully in all programmes organised by the Board, noting that they are designed to help them attain an acceptable Hajj.
“I therefore urge all intending pilgrims to take advantage of this exercise to get value for their money by receiving proper guidance on the journey, enhancing their Islamic knowledge of Hajj rites, and discharging their religious obligations in accordance with Islamic doctrines,” Edah said.
Similarly, the Director announced that all registered intending pilgrims must undergo compulsory medical screening beginning from Monday, 12th January 2026, at the Permanent Hajj Camp.
He explained that the screening would enable the Board to determine the health status of all pilgrims, which is one of the major requirements for the issuance of visas by Saudi Arabia this year.
According to Edah, intending pilgrims from Gwagwalada, Kwali, and Abaji Area Councils will undergo medical screening on Monday, 12th January 2026, while those from Kuje, Bwari, and Abuja Municipal Area Councils will be screened on Tuesday, 13th January 2026.
He added that intending pilgrims who registered through the Headquarters, JAIZ, and Annexe will have their screening on Wednesday, 14th January 2026, at the Hajj Camp.
The Director stated that the medical screening exercise would commence at 8:00 a.m. daily and warned that pilgrims who fail to undergo the screening would not be eligible for visa processing.
He also advised all intending pilgrims who have not returned their completed application forms or submitted their international passports to do so immediately, to enable the Board to process their travel documents on schedule.
