Hajj 2023: 3165 Cameroonian pilgrims travel to Mecca
About 3,165 pilgrims from different parts of Cameroon will be in Saudi Arabia for the next 24 days, in fulfillment of the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.
The last contingent of faithful left the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport on Friday, June 16, in a ceremony presided at by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, and Saudi Ambassador to Cameroon, Faisal bin Saud Al-Mejfel.
A total of 11 flights scheduled from June 11 went successfully. 2,211 pilgrims left through the Garoua International Airport on 8 flights, 686 from the Douala International Airport on two flights, and 268 pilgrims through the Yaounde Nsimalen Airport on one flight.
The 2023 Hajj is programmed to take place between June 26 and July 1, with millions of pilgrims from across the world converging on Saudi Arabia.
Participants often travel to the holy land a week before, and stay for an extra week after the rites at the holy sites of Mecca, Mina, Mount Arafat, and Muzdalifah end.
