Muscat – Addressing a press conference at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA), the Oman Hajj Mission stated that 56 more pilgrims are in the process of completing their procedures.
His Excellency Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Rashdi, Undersecretary of the Ministry and Head of the Oman Hajj Mission, stated that the Hajj quota for the Sultanate of Oman this year amounted to 14,000 pilgrims, including 13,530 Omani and 470 resident pilgrims. The total quota was distributed among the governorates based on the population density of each governorate starting from the age of 18 years and above.

His Excellency added that Muscat Governorate topped the governorates’ quotas with 24 percent of the total quota, followed by North Al Batinah Governorate with 19 percent, while Musandam Governorate received the lowest percentage of less 1 percent of the total approved quota.
His Excellency pointed out that eligibility is granted through the electronic registration system for pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman, using mathematical equations based on Sharia principles and jurisprudential considerations that take into account various aspects and objectives, including the social aspect.

He further explained that the indicators for the distribution of pilgrims by type of Hajj show that obligatory Hajj pilgrims accounted for the largest proportion, with a total of approximately 11,780 pilgrims, representing 84 percent of the total quota, followed by voluntary pilgrims, those performing Hajj on behalf of the disabled, those performing Hajj wills, those performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased, and finally those with incurable diseases.

On the age front, His Excellency stated that the 30-45 age group came in first with 39 percent, followed by the 45-60 age group, 60+ and the 18-30+ age group.

He added that the majority of Omani pilgrims chose to perform Hajj by air, accounting for over 63 percent of the total, while the percentage of land pilgrims reached 37 percent. The average cost of Hajj by land was RO 1,417, compared to RO 2,063 by air.

He further pointed out that the Mission has launched a number of unique initiatives this year, including the Rabat House Endowments Initiative to support those eligible for Hajj for the 1446 AH season from social security categories, benefiting more than 150 pilgrims with a total of more than RO 150,000. In addition, the First Hajj and Umrah Exhibition initiative, in which more than 30 entities from the public and private sectors participated, was also launched.

His Excellency stated that the Hajj Companies Readiness Measurement Initiative aims to ensure the highest standards of efficiency and quality and improve Hajj companies’ performance in line with the next phase of managing Omani pilgrims, based on specific performance indicators. Meanwhile, the initiative to expand the plan for transporting Omani pilgrims through land ports seeks to reduce the average bus wait time at the land port from four hours to approximately 45 minutes.