Start paying for hajji 2024 now – Muslims urged
For a number of pilgrims, Hajji 2023 left a bitter taste after they were left stranded at Entebbe International Airport – a sorry situation the Uganda Bureau of Hajj Affairs blames on late payment of necessary fees.
35 pilgrims missed out on the trip to the Muslim holy lands of Mecca and Madinah.
According to Sheikh Hussein Twaib Mutyaba the Secretary General at the Bureau, efforts are on to ensure that the scenes witnessed in June do not recur in 2024.
“What happened last time is that some people paid late to the travel companies and this affected all the programs. As a result, some passports missed out on getting visas. Going forward, people are called upon to pay in time,” Mutyaba told The Friday Call.
The Saudi Arabian government recently issued new Hajj guidelines, further tightening the noose on late payment of the required fees.
“The group that missed out in June should be given first priority next year since they are in the system (already). They should reach out to the responsible companies so that they can organize all the necessities as early as possible,” Mutyaba advised.
The cost of Hajj has been on the rise over the years, with pilgrims paying between $5000 – $5500 in 2023 depending on the preferred travel company.
Mutyaba defends this cost, arguing it’s one of the lowest in the world, and dependent on the preferred services while in Saudi Arabia.
Services are classified, with Uganda opting for the much affordable class B as compared to richer countries that opt for class A.
“Our prices are low as compared to other countries which pay as much as $10,000 – $15,000. The services those countries receive are in line with the fees paid. This is the reason why some Ugandans resident in other countries will travel back here and pay for Hajj. Class B, which we pay for, is charged $5000 – $6000,” Mutyaba revealed.
Relatedly, Sheikh Ali Juma Shiuyo the Secretary for Hajji and Umrah at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has challenged Muslims to start paying for Hajji as early as possible to avoid the last minute rush.
“If you have property which can be equitable to money like land then you can sale part of it so that you perform Hijja. The same way many people who perform Umrah do because it is not easy to save money given the many competing needs,” he advised.
The UMSC has in place a 5 – year strategic plan that aims at sensitizing the public on performing Hajji and Umrah. It is hoped that this will increase the number of Ugandan pilgrims in the future.
Ugandans will depart for Mecca on June 7th 2024 and return on June 27th 2024. Intending pilgrims are expected to complete payment before the end of the next month of Ramathan.
Saudi Arabia released the Hijja calendar for 2024 – with activities starting in September 2023. Program activities include;
November 4 2023: the preparatory meetings will be completed and service packages will be made available on Rabi Al-Thani 20, 1445AH, corresponding to November 4, 2023. Thereafter, the Hajj and Umrah services will be launched.
February 25, 2024: the allotment process of pilgrims’ accommodation in Mecca and Madinah and the Holy Sites would be finalised by Shaban 15, 1445AH, corresponding to February 25, 2024.
March 1 to April 29, 2024: the processing of visas will begin on March 1 and close on April 29, 2024.
The first batch of 2024 Hajj pilgrims will arrive in Saudi on May 9 corresponding to Dhul Qada 1, 1445AH.
