Last week, Saudi Arabia abolished the domestic pilgrim lottery system for hajj in addition to setting quotas for those over 65. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also unveiled a new payment strategy. The 2023 pilgrimage will see the implementation of these new reforms. The new modifications will replace the lottery mechanism with direct registration. However, a 25% quota will be set aside for pilgrims over the age of 65.
What Is The New Payment Plan For Hajj
Additionally, the Ministry has developed a new payment schedule that allows pilgrims to pay their fees in two instalments. Saudi Arabia permitted one million Muslims from inside and outside the nation to participate in the Hajj season of 2022. Based on allotted quotas, a specified number of pilgrims from each particular nation will be permitted to undertake the journey.
All Muslims who have the means must do the Hajj at least once in their lifetimes since it is one of the five pillars of Islam. An estimated 2.5 million people attended in 2019, making it one of the most significant religious gatherings in the world.
However, Saudi officials only let 1,000 pilgrims participate once the coronavirus epidemic began in 2020. They increased the number to 60,000 fully immunised citizens selected through the lottery in 2021.
NEWS | Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Plans regarding #Hajj1444 for Domestic Pilgrims:
– Cancelling Lottery allocation system and allowing direct registration
– 25% of quota allocation for Pilgrims above the age 65 years.
– Addition of a new package “Economic 2” pic.twitter.com/PlTGxiGvbe— Haramain Sharifain (@hsharifain) August 19, 2022
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When Can You Perform Hajj?
The precise dates for Hajj change every year in Islam since we use a lunar calendar (as opposed to the Gregorian calendar). In accordance with the Islamic calendar, the Hajj is done from the eighth to the twelfth of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic year.
The days and weeks before the pilgrimage season are now used by Hajj pilgrims to journey to Makkah by air, sea, and land. So, for example, if you fly to Saudi Arabia from the UK, you will probably land in Jeddah or Medina. Your Hajj party will then go on to Makkah from there.
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