Friday May 9, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — The first group of Somali pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj departed from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport on Friday, heading to Saudi Arabia to join millions of Muslims performing the annual pilgrimage.
Senior government officials saw off a total of 431 pilgrims during a farewell ceremony at the airport. The event was attended by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali; Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Haji Aden; Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Farah Nuh; and other dignitaries.
In his remarks, Minister Sheikh Mukhtar advised the pilgrims to follow Saudi Hajj regulations and prayed for the acceptance of their pilgrimage. “You represent Somalia,” he said, urging compliance and spiritual focus during the sacred journey.
The Somali Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has set the 2025 Hajj cost at \$4,604 per pilgrim, a modest increase from last year’s \$4,434 due to rising accommodation and travel expenses in Saudi Arabia. However, Somali pilgrims continue to face some of the highest Hajj costs in the region, sparking renewed concerns about affordability.
In neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti, Hajj packages are priced as low as \$1,600 — nearly a third of Somalia’s rate. This disparity has led to public frustration and criticism. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has previously blamed local agencies for inflating prices and urged reform in the Hajj service sector.
In recent years, Somali pilgrims have consistently paid higher fees. In 2022, prices ranged between \$5,500 and \$6,000. While the government has since managed to reduce costs slightly, many still find the pilgrimage financially out of reach.