Performing Hajj at Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is one of the most important rites for Muslims all around the world. Every year, thousands of people — both nationals and expatriates — make the pilgrimage from Qatar.

This year, the Hajj and Umrah Department at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) has issued new guidelines for residents who wish to perform Hajj, said Department Director Ali bin Sultan Al Misifri.

GUIDELINES BY AWQAF

* All who wish to apply for a Hajj permit should have taken two doses of Covid-19 vaccination. Details of the two vaccination dates should be furnished along with the application.

* The age of an expat in Qatar, applying for Hajj, should be no less than 40 years and they should have completed 10 years of residency in the country. For Qatari nationals and GCC residents in Qatar, the age should be no less than 18.

* Applicants should provide their ID card number, with the card’s expiration date and phone number, at the hajj.gov.qa website.

* Once registered, the applicant will receive a message on the provided phone number with a link containing the rest of the registration process. Passport and email details are also needed before the registration can be completed.

* The original applicant can also add details of other individuals who wish to travel together before saving and submitting the form. Once submitted, the applicant will receive a tracking number to check their application status online.

* The website will begin accepting applications from 8am on February 12 and will last a full month, until March 12, 2023. The results of the applications will be announced a week to ten days after the closing date.

AWQAF said it would try to closely monitor the prices of Hajj packages by certified travel agencies. The final number of Hajj-goers will be decided only after the publication of the official quota by the Saudi Arabian government.

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