Hajj permit issuance begins for domestic pilgrims in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom prepares to issue permits for citizens and Muslim foreign residents embarking on the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia has commenced the issuance of permits for citizens and Muslim foreign residents who are gearing up for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage. Starting today, eligible pilgrims and Hajj workers can secure their permits through the government platform Absher and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj’s website, as reported by Saudi TV Al Ekhbariya.
In February, Saudi Arabia initiated e-registration for its citizens and Muslim expatriates, paving the way for Hajj pilgrims scheduled for this year in June. The Ministry of Hajj introduced four pilgrimage packages with prices ranging from SR4,099 to SR13,265, depending on the level of accommodation. To facilitate payment, these packages can be settled in three installments.
Payment deadlines were established to ensure a smooth process: the first installment, constituting 20% of the total cost, was due by the first day of the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan, which commenced on March 11. The second installment, accounting for 40% of the cost, was to be paid by the 20th of Ramadan, corresponding to March 31. The final installment is expected to be paid by the 20th of the following Islamic month of Shawwal, corresponding to April 29.
Moreover, eligible pilgrims and Hajj workers are mandated to receive specific vaccinations, including one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 18 and above, the anti-seasonal influenza vaccine, and inoculation against meningitis.
Last year, approximately 1.8 million pilgrims from across the globe performed Hajj in and around Mecca, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels. Saudi Arabia has initiated early preparations for this year’s Hajj under a revised strategy for overseas pilgrims. Unlike previous years, no specific places will be allocated to countries at the holy sites. Instead, allocation will be based on the timing of finalizing contracts, streamlining the preparations for this obligatory Islamic duty.
In light of these preparations, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued a caution against unauthorized Hajj operators and fake websites, urging pilgrims to utilize officially approved channels for arranging their pilgrimage plans. Dealing with recognized channels not only protects pilgrim rights but also ensures a genuine opportunity to perform Hajj.
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The ministry has emphasized its official website, LOCALHAJ.HAJ.GOV.SA, and the “Nesk” app for domestic pilgrims as the primary approved platforms for arranging Hajj. Additionally, the “Nusk-Hajj” platform caters to pilgrims from Europe, the Americas, Australia, and select Asian and African countries, along with official Hajj missions and companies.
This advisory comes on the heels of the ministry’s recent announcement outlining specific health requirements for this year’s Hajj pilgrims. All pilgrims within the Kingdom are mandated to have certain vaccinations recorded in the “Sehaty” application, including one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the influenza vaccine for 2024, and the meningitis vaccine administered within the last five years.
For international pilgrims, the ministry requires the Neisseria meningitis vaccine, administered no less than 10 days and no more than five years before arriving in Saudi Arabia. The timing, vaccine type, and date must be confirmed by the pilgrim’s home country health authorities and noted on the vaccination certificate. Additionally, all pilgrims are required to receive at least one dose of either bivalent oral polio vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine.
In conclusion, as Saudi Arabia gears up for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, the issuance of permits for domestic pilgrims marks a significant step in the preparations. With streamlined registration processes, clear payment plans, and stringent health requirements, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is ensuring that pilgrims can fulfill their religious duties safely and efficiently.
By cautioning against unauthorized operators and emphasizing the use of approved channels, the ministry aims to protect pilgrims’ rights and provide genuine opportunities for performing Hajj. As the kingdom continues its early preparations and implements new strategies for overseas pilgrims, it reaffirms its commitment to facilitating this sacred journey for Muslims worldwide.
FAQs
Q: When will Saudi Arabia start issuing permits for citizens and Muslim foreign residents to perform the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage? A: Saudi Arabia is set to start issuing permits on Wednesday via the government platform Absher and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj’s website.
Q: What are the price ranges for the pilgrimage packages unveiled by the Ministry of Hajj? A: The prices range from SR4,099 to SR13,265 depending on the accommodation level, with the option to pay in three installments.
Q: What vaccinations are required for eligible pilgrims and Hajj workers? A: They are required to get one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine for people aged at least 18 years, anti-seasonal influenza vaccine, and inoculation against meningitis.
Q: How many pilgrims performed Hajj last year, marking the return to pre-pandemic levels? A: Around 1.8 million pilgrims from around the world performed Hajj last year.
Q: What new strategy has Saudi Arabia adopted for overseas pilgrims for this year’s Hajj? A: Saudi Arabia will no longer allot specific places for countries at the holy sites; instead, places are allocated depending on the time of finalizing contracts.
Q: What warning has the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issued regarding Hajj operators and websites? A: The ministry has warned against unauthorized operators and fake websites and urged pilgrims to use officially approved channels to arrange pilgrimage plans.
Q: What are the primary approved platforms for arranging Hajj according to the ministry? A: The ministry highlighted its official website, LOCALHAJ.HAJ.GOV.SA, and the “Nesk” app for domestic pilgrims as the primary approved platforms.
Q: What specific health requirements did the Ministry announce for this year’s Hajj pilgrims? A: All pilgrims within the Kingdom must have certain vaccinations recorded in the “Sehaty” application, including one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, one dose of the influenza vaccine for 2024, and one dose of the meningitis vaccine administered within the last five years.
Q: What vaccination is mandated for international pilgrims before arriving in Saudi Arabia? A: International pilgrims must receive the Neisseria meningitis vaccine, with administration occurring no less than 10 days and no more than five years before arriving in Saudi Arabia.
Q: Besides the Neisseria meningitis vaccine, what other vaccination is required for international pilgrims? A: Additionally, all international pilgrims are required to receive at least one dose of either bivalent oral polio vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine.
