MUSCAT : Speaking at the annual media briefing, MERA Minister His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bin Said Bin Khalfan Al Mamari pointed out that the Ministry spent approximately RO16 million sponsoring employment for over 2,550 members and volunteers. He emphasised that the Ministry adopted ten performance indicators for the year, surpassing most targets, reflecting growing community trust and the effectiveness of implemented programmes.

Among the most prominent projects for the current year, His Excellency Dr. Al Mamari highlighted provision of 400 religious jobs to support job seekers in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour; allocation of more than RO 5 million for the reconstruction of mosques, grand mosques, and Quranic schools; launch of the Prophetic Biography Museum project to strengthen national identity and social cohesion; development of Al-Ubood Mosque in Nizwa and Qiblatain Mosque in Ibri; and implementation of Mina Arafat services development project to enhance the pilgrimage experience for Omanis.

The Ministry reported the registration of 168 new waqf assets valued at around RO 53 million, exceeding the targeted growth rate of 7 percent and reflecting strong community confidence in the waqf system. Returns from waqf assets, Bayt Mal, and orphans’ and minors’ funds exceeded planned targets by 130 percent, generating RO 8,556,799, excluding returns from endowments managed by waqf agents.

Community partnerships contributed to 339 restoration projects for mosques and Quran schools, valued at over RO32 million. The Ministry also manages an investment portfolio for orphans’ and minors’ funds exceeding RO123 million, achieving a 5.15% return.

In 2025, the Ministry oversaw Quranic education for 298,643 individuals, while 2,741 mosques, prayer halls, and Quran schools successfully covered their basic service costs, achieving 100 percent of the set target. The zakat sector experienced significant growth of 183 percent, generating total revenues of RO 15,785,119. Through 66 community committees, a total of 31,642 families received support, with overall spending approaching RO16 million.

The Ministry also launched more than 2,520 religious activities for young people, benefiting 126,000 students during the summer. International programs promoting tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity reached 12,400 beneficiaries, fully achieving the target.

Hajj eligibility services covered 92 percent of applicants, with over 110,000 pilgrims benefiting since the adoption of the electronic system. Satisfaction rates reached 96.9 percent for Hajj services and 98.6 percent for electronic registration, while more than 300,000 Hajj requests have been processed over the past decade.

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