The ongoing US–Iran war has disrupted Middle East air travel, leaving hundreds of Nigerian Muslims unable to perform Umrah and facing millions of naira in financial losses.
Hundreds of Nigerian Muslims preparing for this year’s Umrah pilgrimage have been stranded following disruptions to flight operations caused by the escalating United States/Israel-Iran war. Airlines suspended services across parts of the Middle East, leaving intending pilgrims and travel agents counting millions of naira in losses after already securing visas, flights and accommodation.
Some affected pilgrims said they were scheduled to depart Nigeria between March 4 and 6 but were unable to travel after airlines halted services in the region. One government official said, “It is a painful experience that we couldn’t proceed with the Umrah trip because of the war. We had paid for everything – visa fee, accommodation, flight and other expenses.”
Others also lamented heavy financial losses after spending millions on travel arrangements. A butcher in Osogbo said, “We were set for the trip; it cost us about N13m, including visa fees, hotel accommodation and flight tickets,” while an Islamic cleric added that airlines were only offering rescheduling options with no refunds.