Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments Youcef Belmehdi on Saturday inaugurated a two-day training forum dedicated to religious guides assigned to accompany Algerian pilgrims during the 1447H/2026 Hajj season.
Speaking exclusively to dzwatch, Belmehdi stated that the forum aims to finalize preparations for the upcoming season, noting that the delegation of guides includes distinguished scholars, Zawiya sheikhs, and female religious counselors.
The minister emphasized the importance of adhering to a moderate religious discourse rooted in Algeria’s national religious identity, in line with jurisprudential guidance issued by the Ministerial Fatwa Committee.
Belmehdi confirmed that 204 male and female guides will operate across multiple phases — from mosque lessons and awareness convoys at departure airports inside Algeria, to accompanying pilgrims at Medina’s sacred sites, and through all Hajj rituals in Mecca, including Arafat, Muzdalifa, and Mina.
The minister also announced that Algeria’s full Hajj mission has reached 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.
