RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb 16: Saudi Arabia has set out the conditions under which domestic pilgrims can request refunds for their reservations ahead of the upcoming annual Hajj pilgrimage in June. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah outlined specific scenarios in which refunds will be granted, such as in cases of the death of the main applicant, the death of a husband (allowing the wife to request a refund), or if a traffic accident prevents the pilgrim from performing the Hajj rites. For such requests, proof of the incident must be provided to confirm the accuracy of the information.

Refunds will also be considered if the prospective pilgrim is involved in a criminal accident. In this case, medical reports from government hospitals detailing health disabilities or hospitalization must be submitted. Reports from private hospitals are accepted but must be certified by health authorities and written in Arabic. The ministry emphasized the importance of canceling the reservation through the official website or the Nusuk app before a refund is processed.

In addition, the ministry announced last week that priority for registration would be given to those who have never performed Hajj, with exceptions for those accompanying eligible pilgrims. The registration process, which began earlier this month, requires that the national card or residency permit be valid until the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, marking the day after the peak of the pilgrimage. The ministry also stressed that applicants must submit accurate information, as any inaccuracies will invalidate the application. Furthermore, pilgrims must be in good health, without acute or contagious diseases, and must complete mandatory vaccinations, including meningitis and seasonal influenza shots.

As part of its preparations, Saudi Arabia has also extended the deadline for registration to obtain permits for buildings in Mecca that will accommodate Muslim pilgrims during Hajj. Deputy Governor of Makkah, Saud bin Meshal, approved the extension, which will now last until the 24th of Ramadan, expected to begin on March 1 this year. The state committee responsible for preparing housing for pilgrims urged building owners to quickly approach accredited consultancy engineering offices to submit their applications.

Initially, the Mecca municipality had set the application deadline for the end of Rajab (January 30), with permits to be issued by the end of Shaaban. The committee, which began accepting applications last July, is calling on Saudi nationals interested in obtaining or renewing permits for renting their buildings to pilgrims to submit their applications promptly. Engineering firms accredited by the municipality and the civil defense service are responsible for inspecting the buildings to ensure they meet all required stipulations. Once verified, the committee will issue the necessary permits.

The municipality urged landlords to meet all safety requirements and submit their applications early to avoid delays and congestion as the deadline approaches. The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and Muslims who are physically and financially able are required to perform it at least once in their lifetime. Last year, around 1.8 million Muslims, including 1.6 million from abroad, participated in Hajj.