MUSCAT: Over 42,000 Haj applications were submitted for the 1447 AH season, of which 14,000 were accepted based on approved eligibility standards. All accepted applicants have completed their travel requirements to the holy sites at a rate of 100 per cent, including 13,560 Omani pilgrims and 440 resident expatriates.
The overall satisfaction rate for the previous Haj season stood at 97 per cent, with the mission aspiring to improve upon this figure during the current season.
This was stated by AAhmed bin Saleh al Rashdi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and Head of the Omani Haj Mission for 1447 AH, during a media briefing on Wednesday.
He said that the ministry's approach in managing the Haj sector is grounded in a philosophy centred on enabling pilgrims to perform this sacred rite in accordance with Prophetic tradition, thereby fulfilling the Sharia objectives of facilitation and the removal of hardship.
He emphasised that the pilgrim remains the foremost priority across all services, with the highest standards of governance, quality, efficiency, and transparency upheld in full coordination with local and international partners.
Regarding the development of air transport services, Haj mission representatives said that an ‘Aviation Initiative' is implemented which contributes to reducing airfares by approximately RO 40 compared to the previous season. This initiative also added Taif Airport as a destination for Omani pilgrims and made departures via Suhar Airport possible for interested companies.
Detailing the most prominent preparations, organisational plans, development initiatives, and services provided to pilgrims from Oman, Al Rashdi said that updates had been made to the organisation of land transportation for pilgrims in accordance with the new regulations issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Immediately upon the issuance of the regulations, it notified Haj companies and coordinated directly with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to mitigate the operational and financial impact on companies and pilgrims and to find alternative solutions that ensure the smooth flow of services,” Al Rashdi added.
He noted that the share of land-based pilgrims fell from 5,122 in the 1446 AH season to 3,034 in the 1447 AH season. Another key effort is the initiative to expand pilgrim dispersal planning via land border crossings, which introduced a smart mechanism for real-time bus movement tracking and rapid emergency and crisis response.
In addition, the 'Awqaf Beit Al Rabat' initiative raised over RO 200,000 for eligible beneficiary groups, while the Haj Company Readiness Enhancement initiative aims to raise performance efficiency and improve service quality.
He also announced the relocation of the Omani Haj Mission's headquarters to a new site characterised by its proximity to the holy sites, availability of modern logistical services and lower traffic density — factors that will facilitate pilgrim access and enable more efficient operational execution.
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