SINGAPORE: Singapore has been allocated 900 places for the annual Haj pilgrimage this year – with all available spaces already allotted to eligible pilgrims, said the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) on Monday (Jan 8).
Singapore was also given an allocation of 900 places for the pilgrimage last year. In 2022, the allocation was initially 407 places, with that figure subsequently increased.
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli signed the Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah while attending the Hajj and Umrah Exhibition and Conference in Jeddah.
MUIS contacted potential pilgrims last month via the MyHajSG portal, said Mr Masagos in a Facebook post on Monday.
“They received their offer letters to perform Haj this year and the early notice has enabled them to plan ahead, such as applying for leave, arranging caregiving needs for their loved ones as well as preparing themselves physically, financially and spiritually for the journey,” he added.
MUIS said individuals were contacted according to their queue position in the Advance Haj Registration System (AHRS).
All prospective pilgrims have also confirmed their places and have purchased their Haj packages from authorised travel agents.
Following this, there now remains a balance of 54,000 pilgrims still awaiting their turn in the AHRS, said MUIS.
On behalf of the Singapore Muslim community, MUIS expressed its “deepest appreciation” to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its “efforts and strong commitment to enhance the welfare and safety of pilgrims while performing the fifth pillar of Islam”.
Since last year, registrations for the Haj have been conducted through the MyHajSG portal. Each registration includes an application fee.
From Jan 1, 2024 until Dec 31 2025, the application fee is at S$285 per applicant, according to the MUS website. The fee will be increased to S$330 from Jan 1, 2026.
These figures do not include prevailing Goods & Services Tax (GST) charges, said MUIS.