Saudi Arabia Bars Pregnant Women from 2027 Hajj
By, Aliyu Adamu Faggo:
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has barred pregnant women from performing the 2027 Hajj, regardless of the stage of their pregnancy.
NAHCON North-East Commissioner, Alhaji Abba Jatau, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting with Bauchi State Government officials at the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Conference Hall.
Alhaji Jatau said the meeting was to brief the state on Saudi Arabia’s requirements for the 2027 Hajj, adding that pilgrims with heart failure, kidney and liver diseases, psychiatric conditions, among others, would not be allowed to perform the pilgrimage.
He warned that the presence of pilgrims with such medical conditions in Saudi Arabia would attract penalties for the Bauchi State Government.
The commissioner urged the Bauchi pilgrims’ board to provide mandatory training for all its staff participating in the Hajj operation, stressing that the staff must obtain the required certificates before they can be issued visas.
Abba Jatau also advised the state to engage qualified medical professionals to provide adequate healthcare services to pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and announced 28th January, 2027, as the date for the commencement of visa issuance.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr Imam Abdurrahman Ibrahim Idris, appealed for more Hajj slots for the state, also requested an extension of the 26th September, 2026 deadline for uploading pilgrims’ e-passport details.
He further urged the delegation to appeal to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration service for measures that would make it easier for intending pilgrims to obtain e-passport within two to three days.
The Executive Secretary also disclosed that Hajj operations would move from a government-to-government arrangement to a business-to-business model from 2028.
He said the state has established Yankari Tour and Travel Agency, which is expected to commence operations under the new arrangement in 2028.
