Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments Youcef Belmehdi on Saturday inaugurated a two-day training forum for religious guides tasked with accompanying Algerian pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season (1447 AH).
Speaking exclusively to dzwatch, Belmehdi said the forum serves as a final preparation platform, bringing together an elite delegation of 204 male and female guides, including scholars and Zawiya sheikhs, committed to Algeria’s national religious reference and moderate Islamic discourse.
The Minister stressed that guides must adhere strictly to jurisprudential decisions issued by the Ministerial Fatwa Committee, ensuring high-quality spiritual accompaniment amid the growing organizational challenges of modern Hajj seasons.
The guides’ program spans multiple phases — from mosque lessons and awareness convoys at departure airports inside Algeria, to supervising visits to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina and accompanying pilgrims through all rituals in Mecca, from Arafat to Muzdalifah and Mina.
Belmehdi confirmed the Algerian mission is fully prepared, comprising 827 members across various sectors, with a national coordination meeting planned soon. The first pilgrim flights from Algiers International Airport are scheduled for April 29, 2026.
