Latest news with #MinistryOfEndowments
Times of Oman
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Main committee for sighting crescent moon of Dhul-Hijjah' to meet on Tuesday
Muscat: The main committee for sighting the crescent moon of the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1446 AH will meet at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs on Tuesday (27 May, 2025). The meeting will be held under the auspices of Dr. Mohammed Said Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs. The Ministry requested citizens and residents to look out for the crescent moon, report to field teams in their respective governorates or directly contact moonsighting sub-committees operating in the offices of walis.
Times of Oman
26-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
MERA calls on citizens and residents to sight Dhul-Hijjah crescent in Oman
Muscat: The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA), has invited public to sight the crescent moon for the month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH on Tuesday May 27, 2025. The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs invites everyone to sight the crescent moon for the month of Dhu al-Hijjah for the year 1446 AH on the evening of Tuesday, 29, Dhu al-Qi'dah 1446 AH, corresponding to May 27, 2025.
Times of Oman
20-05-2025
- Times of Oman
All pilgrims completed requirements for performing Hajj rituals
Muscat: The number of pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman for 1446 AH reached 13,944, with 99.6% having completed all requirements for performing Hajj rituals, while 56 pilgrims are still finalising procedures. This was announced during a press conference held by Oman's Hajj Mission at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, which reviewed the indicators, statistics, and improvements for this year's Hajj season. Ahmed Saleh Al Rashdi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and head of Oman's Hajj Mission, stated that Oman's Hajj quota for this year was 14,000 pilgrims, including 13,530 Omani citizens and 470 residents. The total quota was distributed among the governorates based on population density (number of residents) for those aged 18 and above. He added that Muscat Governorate received the largest share at 24% of the total quota, followed by North Al Batinah Governorate at 19%, while Musandam Governorate received the smallest share, amounting to less than 1% of the approved quota. He noted that eligibility was granted electronically through Oman's Hajj registration system, using mathematical formulas based on Sharia principles and jurisprudential considerations that account for various aspects and objectives, including social factors. Regarding the distribution of pilgrims by Hajj type, he explained that obligatory Hajj pilgrims constituted the largest group, totalling approximately 11,780 pilgrims (84% of the quota), followed by voluntary pilgrims, those performing Hajj on behalf of the incapacitated, executing wills, performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased, and finally, pilgrims with chronic illnesses. As for age demographics, he reported that the 30–45 age group ranked first at 39%, followed by the 45–60 age group, then those over 60 (approximately 16%), and finally the youngest group (18–30) at 5%. He further stated that most of Oman's pilgrims chose air travel (over 63%), while 37% preferred land. The average cost for land pilgrims is OMR1,417, compared to OMR2,063 for air pilgrims. He highlighted that Oman's Hajj Mission launched several qualitative initiatives this season, including the Awqaf Beit Al-Ribat initiative to support eligible social welfare recipients for Hajj 1446 AH, benefiting over 150 pilgrims with a total exceeding OMR150,000. Additionally, the first Hajj and Umrah Exhibition saw participation from more than 30 government and private entities. He added that the mobile cart initiative for elderly pilgrims aims to provide carts for performing Tawaf and Sa'i rituals, with around 450 elderly and special needs pilgrims expected to benefit this season. Meanwhile, the electronic wristband initiative provides wearable devices for elderly pilgrims and those with medical conditions to enhance safety, tracking, and reduce cases of loss. He noted that the Hajj Company Readiness Assessment initiative seeks to ensure the highest standards of efficiency and quality while improving the performance of Hajj companies in line with future stages of managing Oman's pilgrims based on specific performance indicators. The expansion of land travel arrangements initiative aims to reduce the average waiting time for buses at land ports from four hours to approximately 45 minutes. He explained that the Mission implemented several new improvements for this year's Hajj season (1446 AH) in Oman's camps in the holy sites across key service sectors. In Mina camp, 75 new restrooms were added, bringing the total to 267, along with 250 new ablution stations (total: 356). For air conditioning, 150 new split units were installed, raising the total to 900, in addition to other cooling systems. In Arafat camp, 100 new restrooms were added (total: 320), along with 250 new ablution stations (total: 312). Air conditioning was also upgraded, with 60,000 cooling units now covering every 32 square meters, compared to 40 square meters last season.
Times of Oman
20-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Omani Hajj Mission: Nearly 14,000 pilgrims complete requirements for 1446 AH
Muscat: The number of pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman for 1446 AH reached 13,944 pilgrims, who completed 99.6 percent of the Hajj requirements, while 56 pilgrims are still completing the procedures. This came during a press conference held by the Omani Hajj Mission at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs regarding the indicators, statistics, and improvements for this year's Hajj season. His Excellency Ahmed bin Saleh Al Rashdi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and Head of the Omani Hajj Mission, stated that the Hajj quota for the Sultanate of Oman this year reached 14,000 pilgrims, including 13,530 Omani pilgrims and 470 resident pilgrims. The total quota was distributed among the governorates based on population density (number of residents) for each governorate aged 18 and above. His Excellency added that Muscat Governorate topped the governorates' quota with 24 percent of the total quota, followed by North Al Batinah Governorate with 19 percent . Musandam Governorate received the lowest percentage, less than 1percent of the total approved quota. His Excellency indicated that eligibility is granted electronically through the electronic registration system for pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman, using mathematical equations based on Sharia principles and jurisprudential considerations that take into account various aspects and objectives, including the social aspect. Al Rashdi explained that the indicators for the distribution of pilgrims by type of Hajj show that obligatory Hajj pilgrims accounted for the largest proportion, with a total of approximately 11,780 pilgrims, representing 84 percent of the total quota. They were followed by voluntary pilgrims, those performing Hajj on behalf of the disabled, those performing Hajj as a will, those performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased, and finally those with terminal illnesses. Regarding indicators by age group, His Excellency stated that the 30-45 age group led the way with 39 percent , followed by the 45-60 age group, then those over 60 with approximately 16percent, and finally, the 18-30 age group with 5 percent . Al Rashdi added that the majority of the pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman chose to perform Hajj by air, with over 63 percent choosing to perform Hajj by air, while the percentage of land pilgrims reached 37 percent. The average cost of Hajj by land was OMR 1,417, compared to OMR 2,063 by air. He stated that the Omani Hajj Mission launched a number of unique initiatives this year, including the Beit Al Rabat Endowments Initiative to support those eligible for Hajj during the 1446 AH season from social security categories. More than 150 pilgrims benefited from this initiative, totaling more than OMR 150,000. Al Rashdi also noted the First Hajj and Umrah Exhibition, in which more than 30 entities from the public and private sectors participated. Al Rashdi added that the Mobile Vehicles Initiative for the Elderly aims to provide vehicles for performing the Tawaf and Sa'i rituals, and is expected to benefit approximately 450 elderly and disabled pilgrims this season. Meanwhile, the Electronic Bracelets Initiative provides a number of electronic bracelets for the elderly and those with special medical conditions to enhance security, monitor follow-up, and reduce cases of loss. His Excellency stated that the Hajj Companies Readiness Measurement Initiative aims to ensure the highest standards of efficiency and quality and improve Hajj companies' performance in line with the next phase of managing Omani pilgrims, based on specific performance indicators. Meanwhile, the initiative to expand the Omani pilgrims' transportation plan through land ports seeks to reduce the average bus wait time at the land port from 4 hours to approximately 45 minutes. His Excellency explained that the mission has implemented a number of new improvements for this year's Hajj season (1446 AH) at Omani camps in the Holy Lands, covering several important aspects and service sectors. In the Mina camp, 75 new restrooms were added, bringing the total to 267, and 250 new washrooms and ablution facilities were added, bringing the total to 356. In the air conditioning sector, 150 new split units were added, bringing the total to 900 split units, in addition to other air conditioning systems. In Arafat Camp, 100 new restrooms were added, bringing the total to 320, and 250 new ablution basins were added, bringing the total to 312. Air conditioning in Arafat Camp was also improved and enhanced, with a total of 60,000 air conditioning units per 32 square meters, compared to 40 square meters last season.
