No change in Oman’s Haj quota

MUSCAT: The number of pilgrims from Oman will not see an increase in this year’s (1438H) pilgrimage. The Saudi Haj authorities deferred a request by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs to increase the pilgrim number in order to meet the increasing number of Haj aspirants from Oman which means the quota dedicated to Oman will be remain at 14,000. The quota dedicated for Oman has been restored to 14,000 after it was slashed to 11,200 for four consecutive years since 1434H.

This was stated by Shaikh Abdullah bin Said al Hinai, Chairman of Omani Haj Mission. He added that the mission will head to Mecca directly instead of Al Madinah Al Munawarah as before. The decision for changing the destination of the Haj mission to Mecca was made after considering several factors. Mecca is the place where the pilgrimage is performed meaning most of the basic services undertaken by the Haj mission are centred in Mecca. These services include preparing the pilgrims’ camps in Mecca and Arafat (located in Mecca).