Oman Reviews Hajj 1448 Preparations with Hajj and Umrah Companies

Oman Prepares for Hajj 1448 with New Services and Measures to Enhance Pilgrim Experience

Muscat: The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs held an extensive meeting today with owners of accredited Hajj and Umrah companies in Oman to review preparations for the Hajj season 1448 AH and assess the observations and performance indicators from the previous Hajj season.

The meeting discussed updated procedures and mechanisms aimed at ensuring the successful organisation of Hajj 1448 and improving services provided to Omani pilgrims.

Sultan bin Hamad Al Maawali, Director General of Preaching and Guidance at the Ministry and Head of the Hajj Season Management Team for 1448 AH, stressed the important role of Hajj and Umrah companies as key partners in ensuring the success of the season through coordination with the Ministry and relevant authorities in Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Ahmed bin Ali Al Kaabi, Director General of Endowments, Funds, Mosque Construction and Holy Quran Schools, reviewed improvements to service facilities and the results of the 1447 AH season.

Overall satisfaction among 7,200 Omani pilgrims reached 98%, compared with 96% in the 1446 AH season. Satisfaction with services at the Mina and Arafat camps reached 97%, while satisfaction with Hajj and Umrah company services stood at 98.6%.

Satisfaction with entry and exit services through land and air ports reached 99.4%, while satisfaction with healthcare services reached 99% during the 1447 AH season.

Among the initiatives planned for Hajj 1448 is a strategic contracting initiative to develop air transport services for pilgrims from Oman, including economical flights estimated at RO 440,000.

The initiative also includes using Taif Airport as a strategic alternative destination to help reduce overland travel time within Saudi Arabia and provide additional service options for Hajj companies.

Other initiatives include the second Hajj Conference and Exhibition, a unified electronic screen initiative and a medical capability initiative.

The meeting also reviewed contractual matters, updates to the upcoming season, company-management mechanisms and the overall Hajj 1448 timeline, with emphasis on early preparations.

Representatives from the Ministry of Health also reviewed criteria for selecting medical teams accompanying Hajj and Umrah companies, including the selection of accompanying doctors, staffing levels based on pilgrim numbers and the responsibilities of medical teams.

The meeting concluded with a dialogue session addressing questions and proposals from Hajj and Umrah companies and discussing challenges and ways to strengthen coordination and improve services for pilgrims and Umrah performers.