By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The Chairman of Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Musah Muhammad Uduimoh, currently in Saudi Arabia with Edo State pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj, has lauded the Saudi Arabian authorities for their groundbreaking initiative to broadcast the Arafah sermon in 34 languages, including three Nigerian dialects.
Among the 34 languages selected, three prominent Nigerian dialects—Hausa, Fulani, and Yoruba—have been included. This ensures that a large segment of Nigerian pilgrims, including those from Edo State, and the broader Muslim community can directly engage with the spiritual message of the Khutbah Arafah (Arafat Sermon), which will be delivered at Masjid Namirah on Arafat Day (Thursday, June 5).
Speaking via a WhatsApp voice note from the Holy Land, Chairman Uduimoh and the Executive Secretary of the board, Eranga Abdulkabir Muhammadkabir emphasized that this move will significantly enhance understanding and foster a greater sense of belonging among pilgrims and listeners worldwide.
The Presidency of the Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque officially announced on Saturday, May 31, 2025 that the Arafat sermon will be translated and broadcast live, a development that has been met with widespread appreciation from the global Muslim community, including the Edo State contingent.
This initiative, as highlighted in a post on Inside the Haramain’s Facebook page, will enable Muslims globally, including those from Edo State, to hear the crucial sermon in their native tongues.
Sheikh Bin Humaid, a respected Imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, is set to lead the sermon and prayers at Namirah Mosque on the Day of Arafat, marking the most significant day of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that this extensive translation project, spearheaded by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, is recognized as the world’s largest of its kind. Since its inception in 2018 with translations in five languages, the project has seen remarkable growth, expanding to 50 languages by 2024. This rapid expansion underscores the Kingdom’s strong commitment to disseminating the message of moderation and core Islamic values globally, a dedication keenly observed and appreciated by the Edo State officials.
