All set for making this year's Haj for Qatar pilgrims a success

He said, in an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA): "The preparations for the Haj season and the announcement in various media and through the ministry's social media accounts have started since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the establishment of the Haj season for this year amid precautionary measures."Al-Misifri said more than 5,000 citizens have applied for the Haj this year, through the ministry's website.

Haj statistics * Number of applicants this year: around 5,000 citizens * Successful applicants notified via email and invited to register in campaigns approved by the ministry * 12 approved campaigns have been licensed to run Haj trips for this year * Pilgrims need to adhere to health requirements set by Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah

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 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the accepted ones were notified via e-mails and invited to register in the campaigns approved by the ministry."Regarding co-ordination with the Saudi authorities on the number of pilgrims and their places of residence in the kingdom and the holy places, al-Misifri said that there is continuous co-ordination with the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrahand Tawafa Establishment for South Asian Pilgrims, noting that the ministry, through an official delegation, visited the kingdom to determine the extent of arrangements at holy sites and the facilities for Qatari pilgrims.Regarding the quota allocated to Qataris this year, he said that there are efforts to increase the quota of Qatari pilgrims for this year, pointing out that 12 approved campaigns have been licensed to run Haj trips for the year 1443AH.He 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."In response to a question about the Haj mission, he explained that the mission is formed annually by a decision of HE the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and includes several units with different specialisations, such as the administrative unit, the technical, the supervision, the communication and the Sharia unit.On the legal education of pilgrims, he pointed out that there is a legal committee affiliated with the Qatari mission that co-ordinates between it and the campaigns and guides to co-ordinate lectures, religious lessons and jurisprudential consultations for pilgrims.He revealed that the first delegation from the mission left for Saudi Arabia on Friday, June 10, to find out all the arrangements.Regarding measures to prevent coronavirus, al-Misifri called on pilgrims to adhere to the health requirements set by the Saudi ministry, including submitting a negative test result (PCR) for the coronavirus 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 and the Saudi Ministry of Haj, wishing safety to all pilgrims.