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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.
Muscat Daily
28-04-2025
- Muscat Daily
Pilgrims without valid haj permits to face penalties, warns Oman
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA) has urged citizens and residents planning to perform haj this year to secure a valid permit, warning of strict penalties for violations in line with regulations set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In a statement, MERA emphasised the importance of complying with licensing rules issued by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Haj and Umrah. 'A permit is essential for performing the pilgrimage,' the ministry stated, warning that unauthorised travel or promotion of unlicensed haj services could lead to significant fines. According to the Oman Haj Mission, individuals travelling without a valid permit may face fines ranging from RO1,000 to RO2,000. Those found advertising or organising unauthorised haj transport could be fined between RO500 and RO1,000. Authorities also called on the public to rely on official communication channels for accurate information and cautioned against misinformation from unofficial sources. Earlier this year, Oman signed a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia concerning arrangements for the 1446 AH haj season. The agreement aims to streamline the pilgrimage process for Omani pilgrims.
Observer
15-02-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
Karwa Motors contributes RO2.5 million to local purchases
Muscat: Karwa Motors said in a statement that the total value of local purchases since the start of its commercial operations amounted to more than RO2.5 million, enabling Omani companies to integrate into the manufacturing sector. In 2024, Karwa Motors awarded business opportunities worth over RO1,125,585.89 to 93 local SMEs. Dr. Ibrahim bin Ali al Balushi, CEO of Karwa Motors, "Since the launch of our business, we have placed supporting local institutions among our strategic priorities. We believe that our success depends on developing the business environment surrounding us. Therefore, we work to award contracts and job opportunities to these institutions, which contributes to enhancing their ability to sustain and grow and drives the wheel of industrial development in Oman." He pointed out that cooperation with local institutions does not only benefit the company but also contributes to the development of the Omani industrial sector as a whole, as it achieves several benefits, including reducing import costs by providing materials and services from local suppliers, which achieves higher economic efficiency.
