Sunday, June 12, 2022

Doha: Director of the Department of Haj and Umrah Affairs at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ali bin Sultan Al Misifri has said that there are efforts to increase the quota of Qatari pilgrims for this year.

He pointed out that 12 approved campaigns (tour operators) have been licensed to run Haj trips for this year. Al Misifri said that the door is still open to obtain additional campaign permits and obtain the necessary approvals from the authorities concerned.

Regarding Haj prices, he said that the ministry does not set prices, but rather leaves it to campaigns based on the level of services and hospitality provided, adding that “the prices are likely to vary between campaigns.”

Al Misifri confirmed the readiness of the ministry and all units concerned, teams and Qatari campaigns to make the Haj season for pilgrims from Qatar a success for this year.

Al Misifri, in an interview with QNA, said: “The preparations for the Haj season and the announcement in various media and through the ministry’s social media accounts have started since Saudi Arabia announced the Haj season for this year amid precautionary measures.”

He pointed out that the number of applicants for Haj this year, through the ministry’s website, amounted to more than 5,000 citizens.

He said, “After checking the data and information, completing vaccinations and determining the appropriate age groups according to the conditions and standards required by the authorities of Saudi Arabia, the accepted ones were notified via emails and invited to register in the campaigns approved by the Ministry.

Regarding coordination with the Saudi authorities on the number of pilgrims and their places of residence in the Kingdom and the holy places, Al Misifri pointed out that there is continuous coordination with the Ministry of Haj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia and Tawafa Establishment for South Asian Pilgrims. He noted that the ministry, through an official delegation, visited the Kingdom to determine the extent of arrangements and equipment on holy sites and the provision of comfort and facilitation for Qatari pilgrims in their places of residence throughout the period of their performance of the Haj.

He revealed that the first delegation from the mission left for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday, June 10, to find out all the arrangements. Regarding the legal obligations required for pilgrims and campaign owners, he affirmed that there is a template for a contract approved by the Ministry on its website of and the campaign owners to be a legal document to guarantee the rights and obligations of both parties in everything related to the services provided by the campaign.

Al Misifri called on pilgrims to adhere to the health requirements set by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah; Including submitting a negative test result (PCR) for COVID-19 for a sample taken within 72 hours before the date of departure to the Kingdom, and adherence to the mask in open and closed places according to the instructions of the health authorities.

Source: https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/12/06/2022/efforts-underway-to-increase-haj-quota-for-qatari-pilgrims-official