Saudi Embrace Online Registration For Hajj To Combat Scams

Saudi Embrace Online Registration For Hajj To Combat Scams
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Saudi Arabian authorities have disclosed that it would henceforth require that would-be hajj pilgrims from many Western countries apply for visas via a government portal online, a move which is intended to crack down on ‘fake’ travel agencies, officials told reporters on Tuesday.

Africa Daily News, New York gathered that the new system was put in place as the kingdom concludes preparations to welcome 850,000 Muslims from abroad for the annual hajj after two years during which pilgrims not already in Saudi Arabia were barred because of Covid pandemic restrictions.

It applies to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, said one of the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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Previously, pilgrims could register via travel agencies that organised hajj trips, a system that sometimes led to scams, with ‘fake agencies’ making off with victims’ money, a second official said.

Saudi Arabia announced in April it would permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year’s hajj.

State media announced the online portal a week ago, and the registration period ended Monday, the hajj ministry said on Twitter.

Those who registered will be included in a lottery for hajj visas.

He said they would also be included in the lottery — which has not been scheduled — provided they had booked via an agency accredited by the hajj ministry.

One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj must be undertaken by all Muslims who have the means at least once in their lives.

It consists of a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in Islam’s holiest city, Mecca, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia.

It is due to begin in early July, and the first batch of foreign pilgrims since before the Covid-19 pandemic arrived from Indonesia just over a week ago.

Africa Daily News, New York

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