Calls for intervention by Dirco to protect Hajj pilgrims

SA QUOTA REDUCED

- NADIA KHAN [e-mail]

THE Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has noted the call by the DA to intervene to safeguard the rights of pilgrims who intend on embarking on Hajj next year.

This comes after the National Assembly passed a motion without notice, tabled by the DA last week, to protect Hajj pilgrims from rising travel costs following changes to the process.

In August, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Mohu) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued a new directive which fundamentally changed the way in which pilgrimages were organised, removing the role of local tour operators in the process.

Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam and a religious duty that must be carried out at least once by Muslims, provided that the person is healthy, fit and financially able.

Previously, travel operators completed an application with the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (Sahuc) based on requirements from the Mohu.

Once all the requirements were met, the operators would be accredited and were required to achieve the minimum quota as stipulated by the Mohu.