After two years of suspension due to Covid-19, the hajj is expected to begin on July 7th next. Compared to previous years, the fees to be paid to perform the great pilgrimage are significantly higher in most Arab countries, including Qatar, the Emirates, Tunisia and Morocco.
The Hajj will be much more expensive this year for Moroccans. This very important pillar of Islam is becoming less and less accessible, especially for those who prefer to go through travel agencies.
Moroccan participation in the Hajj will be low this year. And for good reason, many of them are withdrawing. Mohamed Semlali, president of the National Federation of Travel Agencies of Morocco, explains the reasons behind this withdrawal.
The costs for the Hajj 2022 pilgrimage are now known. They have just been unveiled by the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs and must be paid between Monday, May 30 and Friday, June 3.
The government has provided some details on the measures taken for the proper organization of the pilgrimage . According to the explanations, the pilgrimage fees depend on the cost of the other elements that determine them and which will be announced by the competent Saudi authorities.
Moroccans who have received the Sinopharm vaccine and wish to perform their pilgrimage must still submit to the health restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government has still not recognized the effectiveness of the Chinese vaccine.
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has announced that the Royal Commission for the Pilgrimage will maintain for the next Hajj season the results of the draw (lists of selected and waiting lists of the official organization and tourist travel agencies) for the 1441 AH season. Moroccans will not be able to perform the 2021 Hajj due to the exclusion of all nationalities.
French President Emmanuel Macron and the Saudi authorities have made a deal: to recover the money from the Hajj to train imams in France.
A Moroccan pilgrim reached Saudi Arabia in a particular way. Yassine Ghallam traveled for 4 years through 28 countries on foot and by bicycle.
After several months of suspense, Saudi Arabia has finally canceled the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca for all pilgrims outside its territory. As a result, Morocco has committed to refunding Hajj costs as of July 1.
Taking into account the current context related to covid-19 and faced with "the uncertainty surrounding the conditions for organizing the pilgrimage this year", the risks associated with its accomplishment are quite high. In a press release published on its website, the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) has invited Muslims in France to postpone their (Hajj) project to next year.
The hajj will indeed take place in Saudi Arabia this year despite the health crisis related to the coronavirus. The pilgrimage to Mecca is therefore maintained but under certain conditions.