The first flight carrying pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman will leave Muscat on Wednesday (today) followed by regular flights carrying other pilgrims in the following days, according to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MoARA). The first flight will be carrying officials from the ministries, Royal Oman Police, and other official delegates who are performing haj this year.
The ministry received as many as 33,536 applications including 29,930 requests from Omanis and 3,606 requests from residents for this year's Hajj after the registration was closed on Mar 5.
Oman will only be able to send 14,000 people to perform the hajj this year through MERA based on the agreement with the General Authority for Awqaf (GAA) of Saudi Arabia.
Those who are eligible for performing Hajj this year were selected electronically through the e-sorting and e-selection process.
The Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah recorded the highest number of applications, followed by the Governorate of Al Batinah North, and then the Governorate of Muscat.
Out of the 14,000 pilgrims that the Sultanate of Oman will be sending this year, 13,098 are Omanis and 500 will be residents, and 402 are official missions.
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