The online registration for Hajj pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman intending to perform the holy ritual this year (corresponding to Hijri year 1444) will open on February 21 and end on March 4, according to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
Accordingly, both citizens and residents in the Sultanate above 18 years of age can register their interest on www.hajj.om during the specified period and use the three methods for direct registration provided by the system.
The registration can be completed by entering the civil number, the personal ID card, or the mobile phone number if the identity card chip and the SIM card is supported by the electronic authentication system.
Speaking to the Observer, Sultan al Hinai, in-charge of the Hajj pilgrimage proceedings from Oman, said that anyone who is not less than 67 years of age if he is a man or any woman who is less than 65 years old or who has a visual or motor disability is entitled to obtain a companion for the Hajj.
This year, as many as 14,000 pilgrims from Oman will be able to perform Hajj which is likely to be held end of June and beginning of July, based on an agreement signed by the ministry and the General Authority for Awqaf (GAA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"As many as 14,000 pilgrims from Oman will be able to visit the holy land during the Hajj season 2023 for the rituals based on an agreement with the General Authority for Awqaf (GAA) of Awqaf of Saudi Arabia where we agreed to maintain the status quo of pre-Covid time," he told the Observer.
Special categories:
He further said that the ministry has entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Social Development regarding the special social beneficiaries who wish to perform Hajj.
Those falling in the special categories such as cancer patients or other suffering from chronic diseases can register through the same portal and indicate their disability or disease.
It is to be noted that online registration in the system is not to be considered as a guarantee for travelling to the holy land but a scrutiny, shortlisting and finalising based on eligibility criteria, identifying those who are eligible for Hajj will take place after the registration closed.
Choose an approved agency:
The ministry spokesperson further stated that one should choose a Hajj company from the system and his choice is an acknowledgment of the agreement to contract with the Hajj company, and he has the obligation to pay the dues as stipulated in the system.
In 2020, Hajj rituals were suspended in the wake of the growing number of Covid cases and urged all to perform only symbolic pilgrimage for those currently present in the country. The ministry had also urged all citizens and residents to abide by the decision and not to try to visit the holy land and to limit their prayers inside their homes.
In 2022, 6,428 pilgrims from Oman were allowed to perform Hajj rituals through Awqaf, out of the 13,541 people who applied to perform Hajj through the ministry out of whom 1,085 applicants were expatriates from different countries.
Further details of the Hajj pilgrimage this year can be had by submitting a report via the communications screen on the electronic system for registering pilgrims www.hajj.om/contact or by dialling the toll free number of the ministry 80008008 during official working hours.
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