First group of Singapore haj pilgrims return home

Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim, who joined the pilgrims to lead his first haj delegation since taking on the Muslim Affairs portfolio in May 2025, said in a Facebook post on June 1: “I am glad they are now reunited with their families and loved ones.”

He added that officers from the Singapore Pilgrims’ Affairs Office (SPAO) will continue to support the other returning pilgrims throughout their journey home.

“Together with their families and loved ones, we look forward to welcoming the rest home,” Faishal said.

SPAO has been working with its appointed service providers since the start of the year to coordinate accommodation, transportation and medical services in the Saudi Arabian cities of Makkah and Madinah.

It will continue working closely with the Association of Muslim Travel Agents and appointed travel agents to gather feedback on this year’s haj season and identify improvements as part of MUIS’ commitment to enhancing the pilgrimage experience for Singapore’s Muslim community, MUIS said.

For the 2026 haj season, MUIS organised three coordinated direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Singapore for its 900 pilgrims.

“This approach improved the coordination of pilgrims’ movements” and made haj operations more efficient, MUIS said.

The haj is the fifth pillar of Islam and takes place annually during the Islamic month of Zulhijjah. It culminates with the celebration of Hari Raya Haji, which fell on May 27 here.

Muslims who are financially and physically able to do so are obligated to perform the haj at least once.