Khaberni - Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia, held a semi-annual meeting with the heads of Hajj affairs offices on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition, attended by over 100 ministers, muftis, and heads of Hajj affairs offices from Islamic countries around the world, to monitor the preparations for the Hajj season and discuss updates on relevant operational regulations and procedures for serving the guests of the Merciful.
At the beginning of the meeting, he expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Hajj affairs offices for their efforts and cooperation in making the previous Hajj season a success, praising those offices that completed their contracting procedures early this year and urging the remaining offices to speed up the completion of contracting procedures before the 15th of Rajab 1447 AH, to ensure early readiness and provide distinguished services to the pilgrims.
During the meeting, he emphasized a series of organizational measures that must be adhered to in the coming period, stressing the necessity of finalizing the contracting for camp services before the 15th of Rajab, and residential services in Mecca and Medina before the 13th of Sha'ban.
He also stressed the importance of sending Hajj visas for issuance before the 1st of Shawwal, without extension after these dates, along with enhancing community awareness not to perform Hajj without an official permit.
He called for the dissemination of educational messages in coordination between ministries and offices, to protect pilgrims from any exploitation or deception.
He clarified that a health capability certificate has become a basic requirement for issuing the visa, to be signed by the head of the office and the official of the medical mission, and that no visa should be issued unless the certificate is electronically approved through the Masar platform.
He noted that the payment for the sacrifice and animals is to be made only through Hajj affairs offices and through the Kingdom's project for utilizing the sacrifice and animals, prohibiting dealings with any unauthorized entities.
He emphasized that a Nusuk card is necessary for entering the Holy Mosque or the Holy Sites.
He also requested the entering of data for administrative, medical, and media personnel starting from today, and to complete uploading it before the 1st of Rajab next year.
He mentioned the necessity of completing the appointment of airlines and booking slots for transporting pilgrims before the 15th of Rajab next year.
He affirmed that all financial and administrative transactions must be executed through the Masar Nusuk platform.
He concluded the meeting by reaffirming that these measures are part of the efforts of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to enhance the efficiency of the services provided to the guests of the Merciful, and to achieve integration with related governmental and international entities, reflecting the honorable image of the Kingdom in serving the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from around the world.
