Hajj, Umrah plans discussed with Saudi Minister

Muscat: A session of talks was held in Muscat on Wednesday by officials from the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

The talks dealt with the integration of efforts to make arrangements for pilgrims wishing to perform Hajj and Umrah rituals.

Dr. Mohammed Said Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, headed the Omani side at the talks, while Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Al Rabiah,Minister of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia, headed his country’s side.

In a joint press statement, the two sides affirmed that their roles in making arrangements for pilgrims complement each other.

It was explained that Oman’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs would take steps to coordinate with the departments concerned to organise the Umrah sector.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah would provide necessary support and services for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman.

The arrangements would take effect from the next pilgrimage season of 1446 AH/2025.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah valued the collaboration of Oman’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, notably the arrangements made by Oman Pilgrims Affairs Office to cut down the number of organisers to 33 from 93—to help render better services to the pilgrims, the statement said.

The two sides also looked into ways to improve the traffic of pilgrims via the Rub-al-Khali (Empty Quarter) border checkpoint. They discussed a method of sending pilgrims in batches to make optimum use of the checkpoint’s capacity. It was agreed that both sides would assess the effect of the experience with the prime aim of improving services and formalities.

The statement included Flynas’ announcement to launch scheduled flights from Jeddah to Salalah in the Governorate of Dhofar, in order to facilitate the movement of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and promote tourism between the two countries. It was also announced that a Visa Office would be opened during the first quarter of 2024 in Oman to streamline the arrival of visitors into Saudi Arabia.

The statement stressed that the two sides would boost communication by holding roundtable discussions with relevant parties to raise the efficiency of staff tasked with organizing pilgrims’ affairs, as well as Hajj and Umrah companies from the Sultanate of Oman. -ONA