Saudi Arabia Govt unveils Roadmap for 2024 Hajj, declares 2023 Hajj closed

Saudi Arabia Government at the weekend unveiled a roadmap for the commencement of 2024 Hajj operations, just as the government declared the 2023 Hajji operations closed.

The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah, stated this  at headquarters of the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry in Makkah during a ceremony to mark the end of 2023 Hajji operations.

According to Thisday report, he said the hajji operations would begin immediately with the issuance of letters to each country.

According to him, “The preparatory meetings will hold between September 16 and November 14, 2023, while the International Hajj Symposium and Exhibition will take place on January 8, 2024.”

Rabiah stated further that the conclusion of accommodation and Masha’er contracts is slated for February 25, 2024, and commencement of visa issuance will commence March 1, 2024.

The minister added that the closing of visa issuance is slated for April 29, 2024, while the arrival of the first set of the 2024 pilgrims into Saudi Arabia will commence on May 9, 2024.

He hinted that the first hajj mission to conclude all preparations will have the opportunity to choose its preferred locations at the Masha’er for 2024 Hajj.

Rabiah, therefore, thanked all agencies and hajj missions for their roles in the 2023 exercise, and reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to serve the guests of Allah in the best manner possible by obtaining feedback from hajj missions and improving on its services.

Highlights of the event included announcement of winners for the 2023 Labbaikum Hajj Services award in which Iraq emerged the overall best hajj mission for the 2023 Hajj with other countries like Malaysia, the Gambia, Bahrain, Singapore, South Africa and Azerbaijan recognsed for excellence in various aspects of the Hajj exercise.

Meanwhile, the management of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is set to commence the airlifting the pilgrims back to Nigeria after the successful hajji operations in Saudi Arabia.

A senior officer of the NAHCON, who sought anonymity, told THISDAY in Makkah at the weekend that: “There is no cause for alarm as we are fully prepared for the airlifting of pilgrims back home in Nigeria.”