Hajj E-Site Grinds to a Halt Under Immense Pressure

01/10/2023

This news has been read 3976 times!

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 1: Following the announcement made by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs regarding the launch of the registration process from October 1, 12:00 noon to November 10, 12:00 noon for those wishing to perform Hajj for the 1445/2024 AD season, via the electronic platform designated for this purpose, a number of citizens reported that the platform for receiving electronic applications has not yet been activated, that the link does not work, and no messages are received on the government’s My ID application regarding the approval of the request.

File Photo: Thousands of Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Ka’aba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, June 25, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Makkah for the largest Hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP)

The Arab Times contacted the Director of the Hajj Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Sattam Al- Muzain to clarify the matter. He explained that there is heavy pressure on the site due to the large number of requests to register on the first day. In addition, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has set general conditions for registration on the electronic platform for Hajj applications.

They are:-

1- The person wishing to perform Hajj must be a Kuwaiti.

2- He has never performed Hajj in the past

3- The group should be among relatives.

The first category – The group does not exceed five people and has not previously performed Hajj. The following conditions apply:
■ All registrants must be Kuwaitis.
■ Kuwaitis with one resident companion (wife, mother, husband, son).

The second category – The group does not exceed two people, including an “accompanying person” who has previously performed Hajj.

The following conditions apply:
■ An elderly person aged 70 years or above who has not previously performed Hajj.
■ A disabled Kuwaiti who has never performed Hajj.
■ A Kuwaiti woman who has never performed Hajj. This category is allocated five percent of the total number of pilgrims.

The Awqaf for Campaigns has determined general policies, which are:
■ Each group must not exceed five people, except for the second group.
■ Applicants have the right to change and replace during the registration period.

The circular stated that after the sorting procedure is carried out to ensure registration, 25 percent of the Hajj value must be paid. The minimum for campaign registration is 50 pilgrims and the maximum is 250 pilgrims, and 200 pilgrims for double, triple, and quadruple licenses. If the application of the oldest person in the group is canceled, the application will be canceled and the rest will return to the platform.

After the pilgrim is accepted and completes his registration with the campaign, he has the right to change the campaign one time no later than January 31, 2024. The campaign has only one program, and the sorting is according to the oldest. The candidate for admission is given five days to complete registration and is required to pay 25 percent of the Hajj value as a first payment. In the event of cancellation before January 31, the pilgrim will recover the full amount he paid.

This news has been read 3976 times!

01/10/2023