Tuesday , May 19, 2026 (Baidoa Online) -Somalia’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Mukhtar Robow Abu Mansur, was blocked by a group of Somali pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca on Tuesday amid growing complaints over the management of Hajj services.
According to witnesses, the minister’s vehicle was prevented from moving after several Somali pilgrims accused the Ministry of Religious Affairs of failing to safeguard their rights and provide adequate services during the Hajj pilgrimage. The protesters expressed frustration over issues linked to accommodation, transportation, and overall coordination of pilgrimage arrangements.
The incident occurred during the annual Hajj season, when thousands of Somali pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Islamic rituals. Videos and reports circulating on social media showed heated exchanges between the ministerand some of the pilgrims gathered at the scene.
The development comes amid increasing scrutiny over the management of Hajj operations for Somali citizens, with some pilgrims calling for greater accountability and improved oversight from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.