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20 December 2025
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC), also known as the Hajj Affairs Office of South Africa, is pleased to announce a landmark initiative for Hajj 2026 / 1447AH that places spiritual excellence, education, accessibility, and pilgrim empowerment at the very heart of the sacred journey.
In service to the Ummah and in fulfilment of its Amanah, SAHUC confirms that individual members from within SAHUC will be serving as guides for Hajj 2026 / 1447AH, providing comprehensive spiritual guidance, awareness programmes, webinars, and ongoing support to all South African pilgrims—irrespective of which of the 12 approved Saudi Service Provider Companies (SPCs) they may choose.
Honouring Our Spiritual Guides:
SAHUC is honoured to work with a distinguished group of respected Islamic scholars who will form part of this guidance initiative, bringing deep Ilm(knowledge), wisdom, compassion, and lived Hajj experience to pilgrims.
- Moulana Bilal Vaid – (JHB)
- Muallimah for women’s only programs.
- Moulana Ismaeel Yaghya – Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) (CPT)
- Qari Omar Sithole – (Mpumalanga)
- Moulana Habeeb Milanzi – (KZN)
- Moulana Anees Moegamed Kara – Khateeb Maraisburg Masjid (JHB/PE/CPT)
- Moulana Ansar Johaardien – Bosmont Masjid Islamic Centre (JHB/CPT)
- Moulana Hasan Petkar – (JHB)
Alhamdulillah, our spiritual guides are well versed in Arabic, English, and Urdu, and are knowledgeable in guiding pilgrims according to both the Hanafi and Shafi madhabs, while the broader guiding team also communicates in various African languages, ensuring inclusivity, clear understanding, and comfort for pilgrims from all backgrounds.
In addition, SAHUC will deploy both male and female guides from South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing over 150 + years of combined Hajj experience. This team will be led by the Head of Pilgrim Services & Principal Guide, Shaheen Essop, together with his dedicated team, In Shaa Allah.
Independent, Transparent & Pilgrim-Centered.
To ensure transparency and integrity, SAHUC will publish guidance content on its social media platforms under the banner of the respective SPC with which each guide is independently affiliated. These affiliations are individual and do not merge with any other entity.
The number of guides accompanying pilgrims will be determined by:
- The quota ratio allocated by the SPC, and
- The number of pilgrims selecting the guidance group, listed on page one, using a unique code provided by the SPC which we will publish on our social media platforms when received.
Global Awareness, Education & Empowerment.
This team will conduct a comprehensive programme of spiritual and logistical awareness initiatives, including:
- In-person workshops.
- Online and live-stream webinars.
- Globally accessible educational sessions.
These programmes are designed to empower, educate, and spiritually prepare pilgrims, enabling them to perform Hajj with knowledge, confidence, humility, and khushu, In Shaa Allah. A detailed programme schedule will be published and shared across SAHUC’s official social media platforms.
Open Call to Serve the Guests of Allah.
SAHUC warmly welcomes any additional spiritual or mission-driven guides who wish to serve the Guests of Allah جل جلاله in any capacity in preparation for Hajj 2026 / 1447AH. Those interested are
kindly requested to make contact via WhatsApp with Sister Yaseera on +27 60 319 5031, In Shaa Allah.
SAHUC remains steadfast in its commitment to unity, excellence, transparency, and service ensuring that every South African pilgrim is spiritually nurtured, properly guided, and fully supported throughout this journey of a lifetime.
Released by
The Board of SAHUC
