There is good news for thousands of expatriates and citizens who intend to perform the Haj pilgrimage this year.

Authorities have announced that it would accept application for low-cost Haj schemes from Monday.

This is the first time that the Haj Ministry has made this announcement in advance, hoping to reach the largest number of pilgrims within the Kingdom.

“This is the result of sincere efforts made by the ministry to facilitate Haj for the less fortunate at an affordable cost,” Ali Al-Ghamdi of the Haj Ministry told Arab News.

“This is cause for celebration among residents for whom cost matters,” said Taher Shawali of the South Asian Haj Establishment in Makkah.

Several expats have voiced their relief over the news. The announcement is a boon for numerous expatriates in the Kingdom, said Mohammed Ali Azad, an Indian expat.

The online system will undoubtedly stop Haj operators from cheating pilgrims.

“We can now perform Haj for SR2,500; what more can we ask for,” said Bangladeshi expat Mizanur Rahman.

More details are available on locallowfare.haj.gov.sa.

Applications would be accepted online only, said Hussein Al-Sharif, Haj Affairs secretary.

“Applicants should review registration steps and services provided by the website, as well as eligibility conditions, before applying,” he said.

“Applicants should also choose categories befitting to their budget and answer honestly when deciding whether they meet the conditions,” he said.

“Registration steps include entering the ID numbers of both applicants and companions,” he said in a statement.

 
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