Manny Ita –
Hundreds of Nigerian Muslims preparing to perform the Umrah pilgrimage have been left stranded after the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran disrupted major aviation routes across the Middle East, forcing airlines to suspend or cancel several international flights.
The disruption has affected both pilgrims scheduled to depart Nigeria and others already in Saudi Arabia for the lesser pilgrimage, with travel agencies reporting widespread cancellations and delays as airlines adjust routes and halt operations through affected airspace.
The crisis follows the intensification of hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which triggered missile strikes and security alerts across several countries in the Gulf region. In response, multiple nations temporarily restricted or closed portions of their airspace, significantly affecting international travel through major transit hubs commonly used by airlines flying to Saudi Arabia.
Airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines have either suspended flights or rerouted services due to safety concerns, leaving thousands of travellers—including religious pilgrims—unable to continue their journeys.
Several Nigerian pilgrims who had completed travel arrangements, including visas, flight bookings and accommodation in Mecca and Medina, were unable to travel after airlines cancelled departures scheduled during the first week of March.
Travel operators said many intending pilgrims had already spent millions of naira on travel packages before the sudden disruption.
“I was supposed to travel when Ramadan reached its 20th day, but my ticket was cancelled. We are stranded and unsure if it will be possible this year,” said Islamic cleric Alhaji Jamiu Babatunde from Ibadan, whose pilgrimage plans were halted by the flight cancellations.
Another Nigerian pilgrim currently in Mecca said the major challenge for many travellers lies in international transit disruptions rather than restrictions within Saudi Arabia itself.
According to him, Saudi Arabia’s airports remain operational, but travellers from many countries cannot reach the kingdom because flights through major Middle Eastern hubs have been suspended or significantly reduced.
Some affected pilgrims have also reported financial difficulties as extended hotel stays and rescheduled flights continue to increase costs. In several cases, travellers who had already booked accommodation in Mecca and Medina are now struggling to cover additional expenses while waiting for flights to resume.
Travel agents said airlines are mostly offering ticket rescheduling rather than refunds, leaving many pilgrims uncertain about when they will be able to complete their religious journey.
The disruption has affected pilgrims from multiple countries, with travellers from parts of Africa and Asia also stranded after return flights were cancelled amid the growing regional conflict.
Global aviation authorities say the escalating tensions have disrupted thousands of flights across the Middle East, creating one of the largest aviation disruptions in the region in recent years.
Religious leaders and travel operators in Nigeria have urged intending pilgrims to remain calm and closely monitor official updates from airlines and tour operators while waiting for the situation in the Middle East to stabilise. They also advised prospective pilgrims who have not yet departed to temporarily postpone their travel plans until normal flight operations resume and regional security conditions improve.
