Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia to Broadcast Arafah Sermon in Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani and 31 Other Languages

In a remarkable move towards inclusion and understanding, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced that this year’s Arafah sermon during the 2025 Hajj will be translated into 34 languages, including three widely spoken in Nigeria—Hausa, Yoruba, and Fulani.

The sermon, which will take place on Thursday, 9th Dhul Hijjah 1446 (June 6, 2025), is one of the most important parts of the Hajj pilgrimage. By translating it into more languages, Saudi authorities hope to make the message of Islam clearer and more meaningful to millions of Muslims around the world.

Musah Muhammad-Uduimoh, Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, shared the news and described it as a “landmark gesture of religious inclusivity.” He praised the decision, saying it will help Nigerian pilgrims connect better with the message of the Khutbah (sermon), as hearing it in a language they understand makes it more personal and spiritually uplifting.

“This is a big step in making the Hajj experience more powerful for everyone,” Muhammad-Uduimoh said. “When people hear the sermon in their own language, it speaks directly to their heart.”

Languages Included in the Translation
Apart from Arabic, the sermon will be translated into English, French, Urdu, Mandarin Chinese, Bengali, Turkish, Indonesian, Persian (Farsi), Malay, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Filipino (Tagalog), Russian, Amharic (Ethiopian), Bosnian, Hindi, Dutch, Thai, Swahili, Pashto, Tamil, Malayalam, Azerbaijani, Swedish, Uzbek, Albanian, Somali, Rohingya—and of course, Hausa, Yoruba, and Fulani.

Saudi Arabia said this effort is aimed at sharing the message of tolerance and unity with both Muslims and non-Muslims around the world. The translation project also reflects the growing diversity of the Muslim population and acknowledges the importance of communicating in native languages.

Eid-el-Adha Confirmed for June 6

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has also confirmed that Muslims will celebrate Eid-el-Adha (Eid al-Kabir) on Friday, June 6, 2025. This comes after the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul Hijjah was sighted on Wednesday, May 28.

The Arafah sermon is delivered from Mount Arafat on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah and is considered a central spiritual moment of the Hajj. Millions of Muslims around the world tune in to listen to the sermon, even if they are not physically present in Mecca.

A Step Towards Unity

This translation initiative is not only about language—it’s about unity. By making sure every Muslim can understand the powerful message of the sermon, Saudi Arabia is helping to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps in the global Muslim community.

Muhammad-Uduimoh concluded, “This is how we build a stronger Ummah. When we understand each other better, we grow together in faith.”