Training for Hajj mission representatives from 133 countries, including officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has entered its third day in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as preparations intensify for the 1448AH (2027) Hajj season.
The programme, organised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, is designed to strengthen the capacity of participating countries’ officials in customer service, effective communication and pilgrims’ welfare.
The third day’s sessions focused on safety awareness, emergency preparedness and response mechanisms to protect pilgrims and improve service delivery during the annual pilgrimage.
Participants received guidance on fire prevention, camp safety, adverse weather conditions and emergency evacuation procedures.
The training also emphasised the need for officials to respond promptly to fire alarms, keep emergency exits unobstructed, avoid open flames and unsafe cooking equipment in camps, and comply with safety instructions during rainfall and other emergencies.
It further highlighted the importance of providing pilgrims with clear safety information, emergency procedures and accessible support channels to ensure they know how to respond when challenges arise.
Among the participating delegations is the Kenya Hajj Mission, whose representatives attended the third-day sessions at Millennium Al Masar Hotel in Jeddah.
The Kenyan delegation is represented by Hajj Abdul Wafula, Head of Customer Service and Western Regional Coordinator, and Muhammad Otweyo, Media Awareness Officer. The mission said the training would strengthen its capacity to provide timely information, address pilgrims’ concerns and safeguard the welfare of Kenyan pilgrims throughout their Hajj journey.
The programme forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to improve coordination with Hajj missions and enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims from different countries.
It is expected that the knowledge acquired by participating officials will support better communication, emergency response and more efficient management of pilgrims during the 2027 Hajj operations.
