Tuesday June 3, 2025

Muslim pilgrims gather at the top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. [Rafiq Maqbool/AP Photo]

Mogadishu (HOL) — For the first time, Somali will be among the official languages used to translate key sermons during the Hajj pilgrimage, Somalia’s Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs announced this week, marking a historic milestone for Somali-speaking Muslims participating in Islam’s most sacred ritual.

The announcement came as Minister Mukhtar Robow Ali met with Somali Hajj travel operators in Mecca to oversee preparations for the arrival of Somali pilgrims. “It marks a significant advancement,” Robow said. “Translating Hajj sermons into Somali will allow our pilgrims to understand and reflect on the guidance shared during this important spiritual journey.”

The inclusion of Somali in the real-time sermon translation system, overseen by Saudi religious authorities, will improve access for thousands of Somali pilgrims attending key rituals, such as the Day of Arafat, where sermons are traditionally delivered in Arabic and broadcast globally. Previously, Somali pilgrims had to rely on unofficial interpreters or second-hand summaries to understand the messages delivered at the pilgrimage’s most sacred moments.

Somalia’s announcement comes as the first group of 431 Somali pilgrims departed from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport on May 9, joining millions of Muslims from around the world in Saudi Arabia. The send-off ceremony was attended by top government officials, including Minister Robow, Minister of Health Dr. Ali Haji Aden, and Minister of Transport Mohamed Farah Nuh.

The Somali government has faced mounting pressure to improve services and reduce costs associated with the pilgrimage. In January, Minister Robow signed Somalia’s official 2025 Hajj quota agreement in Saudi Arabia, securing an allocation of pilgrimage slots. That same month, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs announced that the 2025 Hajj cost for Somali pilgrims would be $4,604—up from $4,434 in 2024—citing inflation and rising accommodation costs.

Despite efforts to streamline services, Somali pilgrims continue to pay some of the highest fees in the region. By comparison, pilgrims from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti can pay as little as $1,600—less than half the Somali rate. The price disparity has sparked criticism, including from Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who previously accused local agencies of inflating prices and called for reforms in the Hajj sector.

In response to these concerns, a Somali-Saudi expert committee formed in 2023 has been tasked with overseeing service quality, inspecting accommodations, ensuring health and safety compliance, and coordinating logistics. The Ministry has also warned that companies overcharging pilgrims or failing to meet service standards will face disciplinary action.

Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is obligatory once in a lifetime for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to begin in mid-June. For Somali pilgrims, attending Hajj in their native language for the first time is not only a logistical improvement—it is a spiritual milestone.