Sunday, January 14, 2018

All hujjaj including South Africans embarking and travelling on the spiritual journey of hajj in 1439/2018 will require biometrics to be processed. 

This is according to the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) who says it was informed of the decision by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pretoria during a meeting on the 11 January. 

In a statement Sahuc Secretary General Moaaz Casoo says, the Saudi Embassy also confirmed that official communication regarding Biometrics would be send to the hajj body. 

“We will inform the public once official communication is received. At the meeting, SAHUC also raised the concern of VFS only having offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town. We were verbally informed that VFS are considering opening an office in the KZN region.”

Casoo also says due to the majority of Hajj operators not having their packages ready for accreditation, it has revised the timing for selection of accredited Hajj Operators for Hajj 1439 H (2018).

“Insha'Allah accredited Hajj operators will be present at the SAHUC Roadshows. Hujaaj can discuss with Hajj Operators with regards to possible Hajj packages for 1439H (2018). However there is a possibility that some packages might exclude prices for the 5 days of Hajj until the protocol team finalises in the middle of February.”

Source: http://www.radioislam.org.za/a/index.php/latest-news/22763-biometrics-required-for-all-hujjaj-traveling-for-hajj.html