Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 04-07-2019
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has confirmed that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj has approved an additional quota of five hundred hujjaj for this year’s hajj.
South Africa currently has a quota of three thousand five hundred.
With a waiting period of between 4 to 5 years and more than 30,000 first time hujjaj that are still on the waiting list, the hajj body has welcomed the additional quota.
Sahuc President Ml Muhammad Vaid says the short notice period poses several logistical problems.
“Processing the accreditation, the limited choices available for potential pilgrims, escalation of costs and managing logistical issues for hajj operators.”
Ml Vaid says they are in discussions with the hajj operators to ensure that the process is managed as best as possible.
He has thanked the all the stakeholders for the additional quota.
“We express our gratitude to the Royal Court in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Hajj, the Royal Embassy in Pretoria, the South African International Relations and Cooperation and to the Muslim community for their support, dua’s and cooperation.”
The first group of South African Hujaaj arrived at King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday – The last flight will depart South Africa on 5 August.
Listen to the interview with Ml Muhammad Vaid and Shaheen Essop
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