The Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs announced on Thursday that the increase in Hajj expenditures for the year 1445 Hegira will total 3,200 MAD, excluding the price difference in basic services.
The ministry issued a statement after a meeting of the Royal Pilgrimage Committee to be briefed on the preparations and measures taken to prepare for the Hajj season, as well as on the results of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah’s visit to Morocco.
The committee recommended announcing the Hajj expenses to the public as soon as the appropriate Saudi authorities determine the price of basic services. It also recommended setting eight working days for collection, starting a week after the announcement of the Hajj cost.
As for the Hajj season of 1446 H, the Royal Pilgrimage Committee recommended continuing to apply the lottery system in the process of selecting citizens who wish to perform the Hajj, in addition to setting a deadline for the electronic registration process for the two organizations for the Hajj season of 1446 H, from Monday, Rajab 24, 1445 H, corresponding to February 5, 2024, until Friday, Sha’ban 4, 1445 H, corresponding to February 15, 2024.
Refusing the registration of citizens who have performed the Hajj in the past ten years as well as for individuals under the age of 18 was also recommended.
The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca which can be undertaken at any time during the year– in contrast to the Ḥajj–which happens on specific dates dependent on the Islamic lunar calendar.