Latest news with #MinistryofEndowmentsandReligiousAffairs
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
Oman Hajj Mission resolves temporary halt of pilgrim buses
Muscat: The Oman Hajj Mission said in a statement that the temporary halt of several buses carrying pilgrims from Oman at al Sail al Kabir Miqat in the holy lands has been addressed in coordination with the relevant Saudi authorities. The mission expressed its deep appreciation for the determination of all Omani pilgrims travelling overland to perform the sacred Hajj rituals, acknowledging the physical and emotional challenges of the journey. According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, the Omani mission closely followed up on the status of Omani drivers transporting pilgrims along the land route, particularly at the al Sail Miqat point, where a delay had occurred. Immediate and proactive communication with the concerned authorities resulted in approval being granted for the buses to resume their journey.
Muscat Daily
6 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Nearly 2,700 pilgrims cross Rub al Khali border for haj from Oman
Muscat – The Rub al Khali border crossing between Oman and Saudi Arabia has seen the passage of 80 buses carrying 2,696 pilgrims travelling to perform haj in the last few days. The movement is part of coordinated efforts by authorities to streamline the grouping and departure process. Officials said the arrangements reflect the efficiency of coordination between entities such as the Royal Oman Police and the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, aimed at easing travel procedures and reducing waiting times at the border. The measures were designed to ensure smooth transit for pilgrims arriving from different governorates. Ibrahim bin Mubarak al Harthi of the Endowments and Religious Affairs Department in Dhahirah said the grouping of pilgrims is being conducted in two phases. The first focuses on compliance with requirements issued by the Omani Haj Mission and its Saudi counterpart, while the second deals with passport verification and entry permits to Saudi Arabia. Several pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements at the crossing, citing the swift processing and organised procedures by the authorities. To support the journey, the Royal Oman Police, in cooperation with the Royal Army of Oman, the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, and the Ibri Charity Team, set up a service station along the route between Ibri and the border. The station provides assistance, emergency response, and ambulance services to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims.
Muscat Daily
20-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Haj preparations finalised for Oman's 14,000 pilgrims
Muscat – Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA) announced on Tuesday that a total of 13,944 pilgrims from the sultanate have completed formalities to perform haj this year. The remaining 56, from the country's full quota of 14,000, are currently completing procedures. The figures were released at a press conference on the 2025 haj season held on Tuesday. H E Ahmed bin Saleh al Rashdi, MERA Undersecretary and Head of Oman Haj Mission, informed that Oman's quota includes 13,530 citizens and 470 expatriates. Allocation across governorates was based on population density of residents aged 18 and above. Muscat received the highest share at 24%, followed by North Batinah with 19%, while Musandam received less than 1%. According to H E Rashdi, eligibility was determined through an electronic registration system using mathematical models grounded in sharia and jurisprudential principles. The process also took into account social and ethical criteria. Of the total, 11,780 pilgrims (84%) are undertaking haj as an obligatory religious duty. The remaining are voluntary pilgrims – individuals performing haj on behalf of the deceased, the incapacitated or terminally ill patients. H E Ahmed bin Saleh al Rash-di, MERA Undersecretary and Head of Oman Haj Mission Thirty-nine per cent pilgrims are in the 30-45 age group, followed by those aged 45-60. Pilgrims aged over 60 account for 16%, while 5% are aged between 18 and 30. Travel preferences showed 63% pilgrims chose to travel by air, while 37% opted for land transport. The average cost by land is RO1,417, compared to RO2,063 by air. Several new initiatives have been introduced by Oman Haj Mission this year. Beit al Rabat Endowments Initiative is providing support worth more than RO150,000 to over 150 pilgrims from social security categories. To assist the elderly and disabled pilgrims, vehicles have been introduced for use during the Tawaf and Sa'i rituals, benefiting approximately 450 individuals. Electronic bracelets have also been issued to the elderly and medically vulnerable pilgrims to enhance tracking and safety.
Observer
20-05-2025
- Observer
13,530 Omanis, 470 residents to perform Hajj from Oman
Muscat: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA) and Head of the Omani Hajj Mission said that the Hajj quota allocated for the Sultanate of Oman this year is for 14,000 pilgrims, including 13,530 Omanis and 470 residents. |The total quota was distributed among the Sultanate's governorates based on the population density of each governorate, aged 18 and above. Muscat Governorate topped the list of governorates in terms of the number of pilgrims, representing 24 percent of the total quota, followed by North Al Batinah Governorate with 19 percent. Musandam Governorate received the lowest percentage, representing less than one percent of the total approved quota. The Head of the Mission indicated that eligibility to perform Hajj is granted 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. Hajj pilgrims accounted for the largest proportion of the total quota, with 11,780 pilgrims, representing 84%. 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 incurable diseases. The head of the mission explained that the age group from 30 to 45 years old constituted the highest percentage of pilgrims this year at 39%, followed by the age group from 45 to 60 years old with a slight difference (0.1 %), then those over 60 years old at 16%, and finally those from 18 to 30 years old at 5%. 63% of Omani pilgrims chose to travel by air, while 37% opted to perform the rituals by land. The average cost of Hajj by land was RO1,417, compared to RO2,063 for Hajj by air. Omani Hajj Mission has launched several initiatives this season, including the Rabat House Endowments Initiative to support more than 150 pilgrims from social security categories. The first Hajj and Umrah Exhibition with local and international participation and mobile vehicles to serve 450 elderly and disabled pilgrims Facilities: 75 new toilets and 250 new sinks in Mina Increasing the number of split air conditioning units to 900 units. In Arafat, 100 new restrooms, 250 sinks, and improved air conditioning systems to cover 32 sqm per unit instead of 40. The mission also launched other initiatives, including Electronic bracelets for the elderly and the sick An initiative to measure the readiness of Hajj companies according to performance indicators. Expanding the Hajj pilgrims' transit plan through land ports, reducing waiting time from 4 hours to just 45 minutes.
Times of Oman
29-04-2025
- Health
- Times of Oman
Endowment Institutions in Oman explores challenges, investment opportunities
Muscat — The first meeting of endowment institutions in Oman, organized by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Muscat today, addressed the challenges facing endowment institutions and compliance standards. The event was attended by Ahmed Saleh Al Rashdi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. The Undersecretary stated that this inaugural meeting serves as a crucial platform bringing together all endowment institutions, both public and private. In a statement to Oman News Agency, he noted that the meeting, attended by 35 institutions, discussed challenges and solutions for endowment entities, along with implementation strategies. He highlighted the ministry's launch of the Endowment Institutions Readiness Assessment initiative, which evaluates institutions across governance, regulation, compliance, board formation, executive management, and investment. Each criterion carries a different weight in determining overall readiness. Al Rashdi emphasized that the average readiness of endowment institutions reflects their maturity, noting that Oman's endowment history spans over a thousand years and remains active today. He explained that modern endowment institutions operate professionally, with structured boards, executive management, educational committees, and risk, legal, and investment departments. While institutional management of endowments in Oman is relatively new, Al Rashdi acknowledged significant progress, attributing it to the vital role these institutions play in serving society—particularly in health and education. The ministry aims to strengthen public trust in endowment institutions, which now exceed 70 in number, including prominent entities. The ministry acts as a regulator, legislator, and overseer, having established governance frameworks for both public and private endowment institutions in collaboration with a governance firm. Additionally, it mandates external auditors for these entities. On his turn, Hilal Hamad Al Sarmi, Executive Director of the Athar Health Endowment Institution, stressed the importance of this first meeting in highlighting the role and achievements of endowment institutions. He told Oman News Agency that while these institutions are still nascent in Oman, governance-based operations require time to fully develop. Regular meetings, he added, would enhance awareness of their programs and facilitate experience-sharing among stakeholders. Al Sarmi pointed to financial constraints, the lack of core supporters, and difficulties in initiating endowment investments as key challenges. He called for collaborative investments between institutions and the ministry, particularly in financial digitization. Athar, he noted, focuses on healthcare improvements, partnering with medical institutions and seeking donors to fund essential equipment and medicines. Meanwhile, Eng. Mohammed Salim Al Busaidi, Board Member of the Bousher Endowment Institution, described the meeting as pivotal in uniting stakeholders. He told Oman News Agency that institutional endowments are still "new" in Oman, with governance charters, boards, and executive councils in place under the ministry's oversight. The meeting, he said, provided a forum to discuss challenges and exchange expertise. Al Busaidi highlighted the ministry's role in offering investment opportunities through endowment assets, noting over 39,000 endowment assets in Oman—many requiring investment. He urged the ministry to enable institutions to capitalize on these funds. For his part, Dr. Badr Khalfan Al Rashdi from Sumail Public Endowment Institution stated that the meeting aimed to address challenges faced by both public and private endowment entities while showcasing their experiences. He emphasized Oman's deep-rooted endowment heritage but stressed the need for institutionalized operations today, citing governance, revenue generation, investments, and partnerships as key hurdles. Emerging institutions, he added, face challenges in revenue streams, marketing, investment expertise, and workforce development. During the event, Dr. Mohammed Fakhri Suwailah from Bank Nizwa gave a visual presentation titled Accounting Standards for the Endowment Sector, covering financial accounting, auditing, and professional ethics. He outlined core accounting principles, including monetary unit, historical cost, revenue recognition, materiality, full disclosure, accrual basis, and consistency. Endowment assets, he noted, are classified as immediately usable or intangible. The meeting underscored the growing institutionalization of Oman's endowment sector while addressing financial, operational, and governance challenges to enhance its societal impact.
