RIYADH: More than 400 singles, who are first timers, left for Makkah from Riyadh on a cost free Haj pilgrimage program organized by a charity organization in the capital.
Around 300,000 pilgrims from within the Kingdom are expected to perform Haj this year. The Passport Directorate has issued Haj permits to local pilgrims who applied online.
Under the program, a dawa center in the east of Riyadh, offered an eight-day package for singles, which includes all three meals, transport and accommodation.
An official from the center said: “We have divided the groups by the languages spoken by the pilgrims. The languages are Tamil, Urdu, Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali and Tagalog.” He pointed out that this is being done to help those who cannot afford the pilgrimage. "We will attend to all their needs, except for sacrifice, the cost of which has to be borne by the pilgrims themselves,” he added.
The Kingdom makes arrangements for the pilgrims to offer their sacrifice through the Saudi Project for Utilization of Haj Meat in coordination with the Islamic Development Bank.
He explained that those who cannot afford to slaughter an animal can fast for 10 days in lieu of the sacrifice. The prescribed time frame for (animal offering) extends following the Eid prayers up until sunset of the third day after the Eid, a total of 84 hours.
The Passport Directorate had warned people not to attempt to perform the pilgrimage without a valid permit issued by the authorities.
Pilgrims from places such as Dammam and Riyadh chose to leave for Haj on Thursday so that they can join Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
The Haj and Umrah Ministry earlier advised people to deal only with registered companies. Seventy-seven Haj operators from 200 companies work to serve pilgrims. Offers for Haj came in three packages ranging from SR3,000 to SR11,980; SR5,892 to SR11,890; SR3,000 to SR5,250; and the most economical fare (moyassur) SR3,000. Primary health care centers throughout the Kingdom were busy giving vaccinations against meningitis free of charge to the pilgrims, while private clinics charged a nominal fee for each pilgrim.
Around 300,000 pilgrims from within the Kingdom are expected to perform Haj this year. The Passport Directorate has issued Haj permits to local pilgrims who applied online.
Under the program, a dawa center in the east of Riyadh, offered an eight-day package for singles, which includes all three meals, transport and accommodation.
An official from the center said: “We have divided the groups by the languages spoken by the pilgrims. The languages are Tamil, Urdu, Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali and Tagalog.” He pointed out that this is being done to help those who cannot afford the pilgrimage. "We will attend to all their needs, except for sacrifice, the cost of which has to be borne by the pilgrims themselves,” he added.
The Kingdom makes arrangements for the pilgrims to offer their sacrifice through the Saudi Project for Utilization of Haj Meat in coordination with the Islamic Development Bank.
He explained that those who cannot afford to slaughter an animal can fast for 10 days in lieu of the sacrifice. The prescribed time frame for (animal offering) extends following the Eid prayers up until sunset of the third day after the Eid, a total of 84 hours.
The Passport Directorate had warned people not to attempt to perform the pilgrimage without a valid permit issued by the authorities.
Pilgrims from places such as Dammam and Riyadh chose to leave for Haj on Thursday so that they can join Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
The Haj and Umrah Ministry earlier advised people to deal only with registered companies. Seventy-seven Haj operators from 200 companies work to serve pilgrims. Offers for Haj came in three packages ranging from SR3,000 to SR11,980; SR5,892 to SR11,890; SR3,000 to SR5,250; and the most economical fare (moyassur) SR3,000. Primary health care centers throughout the Kingdom were busy giving vaccinations against meningitis free of charge to the pilgrims, while private clinics charged a nominal fee for each pilgrim.
