The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has sponsored 20 Nigerian pilgrims to perform the 2025 Umrah pilgrimage under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme.
The Saudi Embassy in Abuja hosted a farewell ceremony on Tuesday, led by the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Faisal bin Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi.
The initiative, established by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, aims to provide Muslims from diverse backgrounds with an opportunity to perform Umrah with full financial sponsorship.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Al-Ghamdi expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their unwavering support.
He praised their dedication to enhancing pilgrim services and ensuring a smooth, spiritual journey for all participants.
“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the crown prince view serving pilgrims as a sacred duty and great honour,” Al-Ghamdi said.
He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant investments in expanding and modernising the holy mosques in Mecca and Medina, with over $100 billion allocated to state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced crowd management systems, and cutting-edge technology.
“These ambitious projects reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to accommodating the increasing number of pilgrims visiting each year,” he added.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme has become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to unite Muslims worldwide.
The initiative covers all costs for pilgrims, including travel, accommodation, and logistics, ensuring comfort and safety during their spiritual journey.
Ambassador Al-Ghamdi reminded the pilgrims to adhere to Saudi laws and regulations, which are designed to maintain order and ensure safety.
“This programme is a symbol of the Kingdom’s dedication to strengthening Muslim unity while providing access to the holiest sites in Islam,” he noted.
The Nigerian pilgrims expressed deep appreciation to the Saudi monarch and leadership for their generosity and hospitality.
They described the initiative as a significant act of kindness that fosters brotherhood among Muslims and strengthens spiritual ties.
Through this programme, Saudi Arabia continues to showcase its leadership in facilitating Islamic pilgrimages, reinforcing its role as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites.
