Awqaf ministry gets Haj rules for this year

The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf has received Haj rules for this year from the Saudi Arabian Haj Ministry.

The new rules, which have been circulated to all Haj and Umrah contractors, state that any such office must prove to the UAE-based Saudi Embassy or Consulate that it is licensed to transport pilgrims to holy places.

The number of pilgrims required to be transported by each campaign must be made clear. Each organiser must carry not less than 50 pilgrims, and not more than the maximum number set in his licence. Applications for entry visas to Saudi Arabia must be submitted to the Saudi Embassy or Consulate.

All Haj contractors must sign housing contracts in Saudi Arabia with their customers, and all these contracts must be accredited by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Haj.

Rules also state that buses used for transport of Haj pilgrims must be equipped with all safety precautions, and be provided with first aid equipment. The bus must be of the type that is designed for long journeys and have a thorough technical check-up at the place of its origin, with a certificate proving its travel-worthiness.

Moreover, a person wishing to perform the Haj who wants to travel to Saudi Arabia in his private car, will be allowed an entry visa only when he produces to the Saudi embassy or consulate documents that prove his car is technically fit.

When housing contracts are signed with Haj pilgrims, the subject residence must be licensed for rent for the same Haj year, and it must be able to accommodate all individuals entitled to occupy it.

Contractors must abide by what is included in the contract they sign with pilgrims. Residences rented by the contractor must not be changed unless by the consent of the Haj Ministry. No contract may be annulled unless the Ministry of Haj approves that there are justifiable reasons for doing so.

The Abu Dhabi-based Saudi Embassy called on Haj campaign organisers, via the Justice ministry, to provide all details of their customers as contained in their passports. All these details are to be sent to the embassy in a compact disc or via e-mail, to be used for the purpose of issuing entry visas.