Free-of-charge reservation cancellation should be made by April
Pilgrims perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Mecca ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage, on June 19, 2023.AFP
Cairo: Saudi Arabia has announced rules for deducting fees from reservations cancelled by domestic pilgrims in the run-up to the upcoming annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage due this year in June.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said if the reservation is cancelled before the 15th of the Islamic month of Shawwal, corresponding to April 13, no fees will be deducted.
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Should the applicant for the Hajj be denied an official permit, SR67.85 would be deducted for electronic services per person.
In case the permit is issued, but the reservation is cancelled within the period of the 15th of Shawwal (the 10th month in the Islamic lunar year) to the end of Dhul Qadah, i.e. nine days before the climax of the Hajj, 10% of the contract value will be deducted.
If a Hajj permit is issued and the cancellation is dated the first of Dhul Hijjah onwards, i.e. the month of the Hajj, 100% of the contract value will be cancelled.
The ministry pointed out that Hajj reservations are cancelled online via the government Masar (Path) platform or the Nusuk app.
Earlier this month, registration opened for Saudis and Muslim foreign residents wishing to perform this year’s Hajj rites
The ministry has said priority in registration for domestic pilgrims is given to those who have not previously performed Hajj, except for the escort of the eligible pilgrim.
Another requirement is that the national card or residency permit must be valid until the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, marking the following day of the Hajj climax.
The registration must be based on correct and accurate data, as entering incorrect information invalidates the application.
The ministry stressed that the pilgrim must be in good health, suffering from no acute or contagious, or chronic diseases. The pilgrim must complete the meningitis and seasonal influenza vaccinations.
Hajj is one of Islam’s five obligatory duties. Muslims, who can physically and financially afford Hajj, have to undertake it at least once in a lifetime
