Muscat – H.E. Ahmed bin Saleh Al Rashdi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and Head of the Omani Hajj Mission, highlighted the importance of companies fulfilling their duties towards pilgrims, emphasizing the need for strong communication, adherence to service standards, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

His Excellency presented a detailed overview of the Hajj companies’ performance between the 1444 AH and 1445 AH seasons. He highlighted the regulatory measures for registering Hajj companies, assessing the impact of penalties and sanctions on improving management, and the importance of partner agreements on service packages and contracts for pilgrims in Mecca and Medina.
The meeting also saw the announcement of three key initiatives launched by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs to enhance the Hajj experience for pilgrims:

• Hajj Companies Readiness Initiative: It aims to assess and enhance the readiness of Hajj companies to meet the needs of pilgrims, by setting clear performance standards and promoting continuous improvements in service delivery.
• Air carriers initiative: In collaboration with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and local and international airlines, this initiative seeks to improve air travel services for pilgrims, ensuring their comfort and safety on their journey.
  -First Hajj and Umrah Exhibition: This initiative will bring together various partners in the Hajj and Umrah sector, showcasing their products and services, and providing a platform for informative programs and activities.
  Abdulaziz bin Masoud bin Rashid Al Ghafri, Deputy Head of the Omani Hajj Mission for Hajj Affairs, also reviewed important feedback from Saudi authorities regarding the performance of Omani Hajj companies.
  In addition, Hamoud bin Abdullah Al Amri, Director of the Hajj Affairs Department at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, confirmed that Oman’s pilgrim quota for the 1446 AH season was set at 14,000.