‘How Jigawa pilgrims met, got married in S/Arabia

For millions of Muslims around the world, the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah represents a profound spiritual journey, a period of devotion, sacrifice, repentance and religious renewal. Yet, for two Nigerian pilgrims from Jigawa State, Nigeria, this year’s Hajj became more than a spiritual milestone – the beginning of a life’s journey of unity and togetherness until ‘death do them part’.

Their spiritual journey marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership that neither of them predicted.

In a story that has captured the hearts of fellow pilgrims, Nigerians and indigenes of their home -state, Jigawa, 60-year-old Malam Abdulmumin Abdulkareem, an Islamic preacher and leader of pilgrims from Birniwa Local Government Area of Jigawa State and 48-year-old Malama Salamatu A. Duku, also a Muslim, found love in the sacred city of Makkah and were joined together in matrimony shortly after completing their Hajj rites.

The atmosphere in Makkah during Hajj is unlike any other place on earth, highly spiritual and calming. Millions of Muslims from different races, cultures, languages and backgrounds gather with a single purpose to worship Allah and fulfill one of the five pillars of Islam.

Not knowing each other before travelling and arriving in Saudi Arabia, their paths however crossed shortly after the completion of the Hajj rites and what began as a simple interaction soon developed into a deeper mutual understanding and respect.

Speaking in an interview with Weekend Trust, the groom recalled how events rapidly unfolded between him and his now wife.

“Our courtship didn’t take long. We met after completing the Hajj rites, and after getting to know each other, we agreed to formalise the relationship through marriage,” he said.

For many observers, the development appeared sudden. However, both the bride and groom believe that their meeting was not accidental but part of Allah’s divine plan for both of them.

‘It was the will of Allah’

For Malama Salamatu, the experience remains almost unbelievable.

Speaking shortly after the wedding ceremony, she described the marriage as a blessing ordained by Allah.

“It is amazing. This is the will of Allah. Our meeting after Hajj was something that Allah had already arranged for us. We are grateful for the blessings he has bestowed upon us,” she said.

The bride explained that among the countless pilgrims who had gathered from across the world, Allah chose to bring them together at a time they were spiritually renewed.

For her, the marriage is not simply a union between two individuals but a testament to the mysterious ways Allah guides human affairs.

Malam Abdulmumin, well known within religious circles, is an Islamic preacher and scholar in his community. All through his life, he has dedicated himself to teaching and propagating Islamic values.

His bride shares similar commitments to religious activities and Islamic learning.

According to the groom, one of the strongest attractions between them was their shared devotion to Islam and commitment to serving the faith.

“This marriage will strengthen our efforts in Islamic preaching and religious activities. Both of us have dedicated our lives to the propagation of Islam, and together, we hope to do even more,” he explained.

Many Islamic scholars who attended the ceremony noted that marriages founded on shared religious values often enjoy strong foundations because both partners understand their responsibilities to Allah and to each other.

Weekend Trust gathered that when the news of the proposed marriage reached the chairman and director- general of the board, Alhaji Ahmad Umar Labbo, he immediately took steps to ensure that the process complied with all legal and medical requirements.

According to Alhaji Ahmad, the first instruction he gave was for the prospective couple to undergo medical screening in line with Jigawa State regulations governing marriages.

“We wanted to ensure that all procedures were properly followed. The couple underwent medical examinations, and only after medical professionals confirmed that both individuals were fit and healthy,” he explained.

The screening process reflected the state’s commitment to responsible marriage practices and public health standards.

Following the successful completion of the medical tests, preparations for the wedding commenced.

The groom, a 60-year-old retired teacher, has three wives, making Salamatu his fourth wife. Malam Abdulmumini has twenty-five children and fifteen grandchildren, while Salamatu, a divorcee, has seven children.

The cleric narrates that after retiring from the teaching profession, he went into farming and business to support himself and his family, while also noting that some of his children support him with his basic needs.

Speaking about how he met his new wife, the groom said he was the one who made the first move by approaching her and requesting her hand in marriage, which she accepted, and they got married.

He noted that his new bride’s elder sister, who is married, is his neighbour in Birniwa, his hometown.

When asked if the bride wasn’t in any relationship before her Hajj trip, he narrated that, she had a suitor, but the relationship wasn’t progressing because the then-suitor didn’t formally seek her hand in marriage through her parents and elders.

He also noted that the bride price of two hundred thousand naira was paid by the Director-General of the Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmad  Umar Labbo, and remained thankful to him.

On how the news of their union was received back home, He said their relatives were happy with the development.

He said the children welcomed the development, noting that before they returned home, a new building for the new bride was already underway for them to live in.  He also noted that his three wives welcomed the new bride into the family without any issue.

A wedding celebration in the Holy Land

Once approval was granted, the Pilgrims Welfare Board took the unusual step of supporting the marriage arrangements.

The board paid the bride price and organised a wedding reception, popularly known as Walima, to celebrate the occasion.

For the groom, the level of support exceeded his expectations.

He expressed gratitude to Alhaji Ahmad Umar Labbo and the board for the generosity shown toward the couple.

According to him, the arrangements made for the ceremony would have been difficult to achieve even back home in Nigeria.

The Walima featured food, drinks, rams and other provisions for guests who gathered to celebrate the newlyweds.

The event transformed what could have been a modest marriage ceremony into a memorable celebration attended by fellow pilgrims and dignitaries.

“The support we received was extraordinary. What the director-general did for us is something that many people may not even experience at home,” the groom said.

Witnessed by distinguished guests

The wedding attracted a wide range of guests drawn from the Nigerian Hajj community. Among those present were officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), senior officials of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, members of the state’s Hajj delegation, commissioners, lawmakers, Islamic scholars and pilgrims from various local government areas.

Many attendees described the wedding as one of the most uplifting moments of the pilgrimage.

At a time when pilgrims were reflecting on spiritual renewal and personal transformation, the marriage provided a practical demonstration of how Hajj can also foster  human relationships.

Several scholars present offered prayers for the couple, asking Allah to bless their union with peace, prosperity, righteous children and enduring faith.

Both the bride and groom thanked the Jigawa State Government, particularly Governor Umar Namadi, for creating an enabling environment that made the Hajj exercise successful.

The groom noted that the support provided by the government through the Pilgrims Welfare Board contributed significantly to the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and the eventual success of their wedding.

The bride also expressed appreciation to Governor Namadi and Alhaji Ahmad Umar Labbo for their encouragement and assistance.

While the wedding naturally attracted attention because of its unusual setting, many observers believe its significance extends beyond the romance.

Hajj is often described as a journey of transformation. Pilgrims return home spiritually refreshed, having sought forgiveness, strengthened their faith and renewed their commitment to Allah.

For Abdulmumin and Salamatu, that transformation included finding a life partner.

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