Qatar opens online registration for Hajj

The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has started online registration for Hajj this year.

Aspiring pilgrims- citizens and expatriates- can apply through the website www.hajj.gov.qa.

Jassim Abdullah Al Ali, assistant director of the Hajj and Umrah Affairs Department at the Ministry said that registration will continue for three weeks.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, he urged all prospective applicants to ensure that they fulfill all the necessary requirements. He said all preparations for the pilgrimage from the Qatari side will be completed before Ramadan.

"The Ministry wants to finish all the procedures early with the Saudi authorities planning to use the electronic system for Hajj this year, which will save time and efforts and make the procedures easier," said Al Ali.

The pilgrims quota for Qatar fixed by the Saudi authorities this year is 1200 including 900 Qataris and 300 expatriates.

If there is an increase in quota it will be announced immediately, with renovation works in the holy premises in Makkah still in progress, he added.

A total of 27 licensed tour operators have been assigned this year to take pilgrims by road and by air. Expatriates going for Hajj must have a valid Qatari residence permit and should have resided in Qatar for a minimum three years.

Applications from expats who performed Hajj in the past five years will not be considered, said the officials.