Hajj Minister meets with Islamic country delegates to review 1447 AH pilgrimage plans
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Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah met with more than 100 ministers, grand muftis and heads of Hajj offices from Islamic countries on the sidelines of the fifth Hajj Conference and Exhibition to review preparations for the 1447 AH Hajj season. The semiannual meeting focused on updates to organizational and operational procedures for serving pilgrims.
Al-Rabiah opened the meeting by thanking Hajj offices for their cooperation and contributions to the success of the previous Hajj season. He praised those who had finalized their service contracts early and urged the remaining offices to complete their contracting procedures by Rajab 15, 1447 AH, to ensure readiness and maintain service quality.
He outlined several regulatory requirements for the upcoming period, including finalizing camp service contracts by Rajab 15 and completing accommodation contracts in Makkah and Madinah by Shaban 13. Offices must also submit Hajj visa applications before Shawwal 1, with no extensions permitted and run public awareness campaigns to prevent unauthorized Hajj.
The minister stressed the importance of issuing a “health capability certificate” signed by the head of office and the medical delegation leader as a prerequisite for visa approval, with verification through the Masar electronic platform. He said that all payments for sacrificial animals must be processed only through official Hajj offices and the Saudi Project for the Utilization of Hady and Adahi, prohibiting transactions with unlicensed entities.
Al-Rabiah confirmed that the Nusuk card will be mandatory for entry to the Grand Mosque and holy sites. He instructed offices to upload data of administrative, medical and media personnel starting Jumada Al-Awwal 19 and to complete submissions before Rajab 1. Airlines and flight slot reservations must also be finalized before Rajab 15.
All administrative and financial transactions, he said, should be conducted exclusively through the Nusuk Masar platform.
Concluding the meeting, Al-Rabiah said the new measures are designed to improve service efficiency and strengthen coordination between domestic and international stakeholders.