Oman prepares for Hajj, Umrah with new service initiatives

Muscat: The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs organised on Sunday an expanded meeting with the owners of approved Hajj and Umrah companies in the Sultanate of Oman. The meeting reviewed the most prominent updates and initiatives of the Hajj season for this year 1448 AH, and discussed the key observations and indicators from the past season of 1447 AH. The meeting witnessed a review of the most important topics related to the organisation of the Hajj season for this year 1448 AH, including new updates and procedural mechanisms that ensure the successful organisation of performing the Hajj rituals.Sultan Hamad Al Maawali, Director General of Preaching and Guidance at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and Head of the Hajj Season Management Taskforce for 1448 AH, stated in his speech that Hajj and Umrah companies are considered a fundamental pillar and among the most prominent partners in ensuring the success of the Hajj season. This is achieved through integration and cooperation with the ministry and competent authorities, both in the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.For his part, Dr. Ahmed Ali Al Kaabi, Director General of Endowments, Funds, Mosque Reconstruction and Quran Schools, reviewed the most prominent improvements in the service facilities at the camps and the indicators of the past 1447 AH season, which reflected a high general satisfaction rate of 98 percent, representing a good increase compared to the 1446 AH season.He explained that the general satisfaction rate of the Sultanate of Oman’s pilgrims, with the participation of 7,200 male and female pilgrims, reached 98 percent in the 1447 AH Hajj season, compared to the 1446 AH season which stood at 96 percent. The satisfaction rate with the level of services provided in the Mina and Arafat camps during the past Hajj season reached 97 percent, compared to 96 percent in the 1446 AH season. The pilgrims’ satisfaction rate with the services of Hajj and Umrah companies in the past 1447 AH season reached 98.6 percent, compared to a satisfaction rate of 98.2 percent in the 1446 AH Hajj season. Regarding the level of entry and exit services through land and air ports, the satisfaction rate reached 99.4 percent during the past season, compared to 97.8 percent during the 1446 AH season, and the satisfaction rate for health services provided in the 1447 AH season reached 99 percent.Al Kaabi added that a number of initiatives were introduced for the 1448 AH Hajj season, including an initiative in strategic contracting to develop air transport services for the Sultanate of Oman’s pilgrims. This initiative provides economic flights totaling approximately OMR440,000 for air-traveling pilgrims, and enhances operational efficiency by activating the Taif Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as an alternative strategic destination, which contributes to reducing the overland journey time within the Kingdom. It also involves developing the field experience to offer additional service packages for Hajj companies and enhancing safety, in addition to the initiative of organising the Second Hajj Conference and Exhibition, the unified electronic screen initiative, and the medical capability initiative.Hamoud Abdullah Al Amri, Director of the Hajj Department at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, reviewed the contractual observations, the latest developments of the season, and the mechanism for managing the companies. He also reviewed the timeline and the general plan for the 1448 AH season, emphasizing that the timing of this meeting focuses on the importance of early preparation to provide the best services for the Guests of Allah from the Sultanate of Oman.On his part, Dr. Ali Abdullah Al Balushi from the Ministry of Health reviewed the criteria for selecting and organising the work of the medical teams accompanying the Hajj and Umrah companies, the priority of selecting the accompanying doctor, the numbers of health personnel according to the number of pilgrims, and the duties of the accompanying medical team.The meeting concluded with a dialogue session that discussed the inquiries and proposals of the Hajj and Umrah companies, reviewing the most prominent challenges they face, and exploring ways to enhance cooperation and coordination. It also addressed developing the level of services provided to pilgrims and Umrah performers, contributing to upgrading the quality of services and improving the beneficiaries’ experience.