A quarter of applicants to perform Haj

Only one-fourth of the total applicants who have registered with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MOARA) will be able to perform Haj as the number of online applicants touched 23,474 this year, according to the ministry.

The seven-day online registration process, which ended May 15, saw an overwhelming response from citizens and expatriates.

“The response to our online registration process was overwhelming, and we received 23,474 applications from both Omanis and expatriates but only a fourth of the applicants will be able to perform Haj through the Ministry as our quota is 6,338,” said a top official from the Religious Preaching Department at the Awqaf.

There were 21,429 requests from Omanis and 2,045 requests from residents of the Sultanate of Oman to perform Haj rituals for the 1443 AH season through the electronic system. Among expatriates, 1,266 are Arabs, while 779 are non-arabs.

Male applicants constituted almost 59.8 per cent of the total applicants, while 40.2 per cent were females.

People in the age group of 30-45 are the highest (49.8 per cent) to register online, followed by 45-60 (33.3 per cent), 18-30 (9.5 per cent)’ and above 60 years (8.4 per cent).

As many as 14 cancer patients are performing Haj this year, while 868 are doing it on behalf of the diseased.

The highest registration is from Al Dakhiliyah Governorate (4,008), and the lowest is from Musandam Governorate (191).

From Al Buraimi (362), North Al Batinah (3, 535), South Al Batinah (2, 039), Muscat (3, 356), North Al Sharqiyah (2, 183), South Al Sharqiyah (1, 686), Al Dhahirah (1, 039), Al Wusta (225) and Dhofar (2,805).

This year’s Hajj will begin on Thursday evening (July 7) and end on Tuesday evening (July 12).

Pilgrims quota for the Sultanate of Oman this year is 6,338, including 5,956 Omanis and 200 non-omanis. The number this year has reduced by 45 per cent due to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.