The 2026 Hajj pilgrimage has reached its climax as over one million pilgrims across the world converge on the plain of Arafah to observe the real rites of Hajj.

This is as economic crunch, rising petrol prices triggered by the Middle East war and insurgency, drove the price of sheep up in Nigeria ahead of Eidal-Adha.

Already, about 50,000 Nigerian pilgrims, who were earlier relocated to the tent city of Mina, an outskirt of Makkah, moved to Arafah, where supplications are offered and accepted.

At Arafat, pilgrims who are privileged to stand on the plain to fulfil their religious obligation are expected to remain under a makeshift tent to offer prayers between early afternoon and sunset.

According to Islamic injunction, pilgrims on the plain of Arafah would immerse themselves in praises and invocation of their creator, after which they proceed to Muzdalifah, another place of high spiritual importance, observe Maghrib and Isha prayers together and pass the night in the open camp.

Meanwhile, hundreds of pilgrims from Kano State held special prayer sessions yesterday for the re-election of their governor, Abba Yusuf, as well as for lasting peace, unity and development in Kano and Nigeria at large.

The prayers took place at the Mina Hajj Camp shortly before joining millions of other pilgrims from different parts of the world at Arafah.

RAM traders lamented sluggish sales as herds stood under the rain on Friday at Kara Market, a sprawling livestock hub along the Lagos-Ogun border in South-West Nigeria.

The market receives thousands of animals daily from northern Nigeria — where most of the country’s livestock is reared — as Muslims prepare for the yearly festival.

Roughly half of the country’s population is Muslim and demand for sheep surges during the celebrations.

But traders told AFP that sales had been slow this year as the cost of livestock has risen sharply.

Prices of sheep, which are favoured for the celebrations, range from N250,000 (about $183) to N1.2 million, depending on the size.

Comparable animals sold for between N150,000 and N1 million last year, said trader Abdullahi Bukar.

He said insurgency in the North-East, multiple taxes and illegal toll collections by security officials have driven up prices.

Shoppers nevertheless waded through the muddy market in search of better bargains as the downpour eased to a drizzle on Friday.