Manama: Kuwait will be sending 8,000 people to perform pilgrimage (Haj) this month, the Justice Islamic Affairs minister has said.
"Half of the would-pilgrims are Kuwaitis and the second half are stateless people and expatriates who live in Kuwait," Rasheed Al Hammad, said.
Priority would be given to Kuwaitis in registering for pilgrimage next year, followed by stateless people, the minister said, according to a report in Kuwaiti daily Al Rai.
The ministry had been planning to reduce the number of expatriates who could register in Kuwait to perform the pilgrimage, the paper said.
The move is expected to stir controversy and cause consternation among expatriates who as a result will face formidable difficulties getting registered in their home countries.
Saudi Arabia has imposed a quota system to limit the number of would-be pilgrims to avoid overcrowding.
Financially and physically able Muslims are required to perform pilgrimage at least once.
