Muscat: The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA) has warned of 'fake' or unlicensed companies that advertise on social media about providing Hajj and Umrah services.
It urged people to contract only with companies licensed through the electronic registration system for pilgrims of the Sultanate.
MERA recently released via text messages the list of those eligible for the Hajj for the 1445 AH.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channels. Click here
According to statistics from the Ministry, 13,586 of the applicants are eligible, which include 6,683 men (49 percent) and 6,903 women.
Nearly 32.3 percent of these beneficiaries are 46 to 60 years old, 42.4 percent are 31 to 45 years old and 20 percent are older than 60.
Those eligible for Hajj are required to complete contracting procedures and electronic payment of 50 percent for the Hajj companies they have joined within 10 days via the electronic registration system for pilgrims of the Sultanate of Oman (hajj. om).
The electronic registration sorts those eligible according to specific criteria that consider the priority of eligibility.
The system is characterized by transparency and speed in showing the results and sending messages to the eligible ones. This step facilitates early preparation and selection for the citizen and resident who intends to perform the Haj and to choose companies specialized in operating Hajj missions.
The ministry said that the cost of the institution services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amounts to SR6,274 for pilgrims arriving by air to Medina and SR6,078 for those arriving by air to King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.
The cost of the Haj for pilgrims traveling via land transport to Medina or Mecca stands at SR4,613, which covers service fees, tent fees, Mina and Arafat camps, health insurance, and transportation fees which includes 15 percent value-added tax, the cost of the Haj card as well as the visa fees for non-citizens (SR300).
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
