Omani Haj Mission to leave for pilgrimage in August

Muscat: All preparations to provide the required services for the Omani and expatriate Hajis and ensure smooth performance of Haj rituals have been completed, Sultan bin Said Al Hinai, Head of the Omani Haj Mission 1439/2018.
The Mission will leave here on August 8, he told a press conference held at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs on Wednesday.
He pointed out that of the more than 27,000 Omani and non-Omani Haj applicants, 13,048 Omanis and 550 expatriates were accepted. He noted that 99.7 per cent of the Hajis have completed the basic requirements for travel.
“The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs approved 85 companies for the transfer of Hajis including 79 for Omanis, 3 for Arab Hajis and 3 for non-Arab Hajis. Of the 14,000 Hajis approved for Oman, 13,450 were booked for Omanis, 275 for Arabs and 275 for non-Arabs. 5 per cent of the 14,000 or 700 were booked for administrators, technicians, drivers and others who will accompany the Hajis to provide the needed services”, he added.
“The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs signed an agreement for the preparations of Haj Affairs 1439 AH with the Ministry of Haj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement included the regulations for travel and specified the share of the Sultanate”, he further said.
“The Saudi side affirmed the compliance of the Omani Haj Mission and the Hajis from the Sultanate with the instructions agreed upon and that no remarks were noted against them. The Omani Haj Mission complied also with the instructions regularising Haj affairs at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he added.
“The Omani Haj Mission this year comprises delegations for Iftaa and religious guidance, administrative and financial affairs, supervising the Haj companies, medical staff in addition to representatives of the Public Prosecution, Royal Oman Police, media and scouting delegation,” he said.
“The Omani Haj Mission signed MoU with the National Organisation for Arab Hajis Contractors. The MoU includes the details of the improved and additional services provided to Hajis at Mina and Arafat camps. Another MoU has also been signed with the National organisation to ensure smooth running of procedures and provide the needed services in Al Madina Al Munawara,” he continued.
Sultan bin Said Al Hinai, Head of the Omani Haj Mission said that the time specified by the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Haj entry through land ports is the 1st of Du Al Hijja, as per the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calendar and that the last day is the 4th of Du Al Hijja.