The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has approved 14,000 pilgrims from Oman to join others from around the world during the 1446 AH Hajj season. This was announced at a media meeting by the Omani Hajj Mission for the previous season. Sultan Said Al Hinai, who led the Omani Hajj Mission during the 1445 AH season, stated that all 14,000 places allocated for pilgrims from Oman were utilized. The majority of pilgrims undertook the journey as a religious duty, with a small percentage performing Hajj on behalf of the disadvantaged or deceased, and others as voluntary worship.
Al Hinai provided a breakdown of the pilgrims during the 1445 AH season, revealing that nearly 50% were women and the remaining 50% were men. The electronic Hajj system data showed that over 80% of Omani pilgrims fell within the youth category of 18-60 years, while the remaining percentage was over 60 years old. The average cost of Hajj by air and land saw a slight increase compared to the previous season, with improvements made to the service package offered at the Mina and Arafat shrines. Satisfaction levels among pilgrims were high, with many expressing contentment with the services provided by the mission members.
The Omani Hajj Mission successfully implemented a “Plan of Sequencing” for land pilgrims, serving over 5,500 individuals within a 48-hour period. The management plans for Arafat Day and the Mina camp also received high satisfaction rates from pilgrims. However, there were challenges encountered during the recent pilgrimage season, such as cases of forging Hajj cards, transportation of pilgrims without permits, entry of buses to Makkah without sequencing permits, and power outages in the Mina camp. Despite these challenges, the overall success of the Hajj season was evident through the efficient management of services and high satisfaction levels among pilgrims.
In conclusion, the Omani Hajj Mission has made significant progress in ensuring the successful completion of the Hajj season for pilgrims from Oman. With improvements in service packages, streamlined costs, and high satisfaction levels among pilgrims, the mission has demonstrated its commitment to providing a meaningful and enriching pilgrimage experience. By addressing challenges and implementing effective management plans, the mission continues to uphold the values and traditions associated with the sacred journey of Hajj.
