Debated in Parliament on 4 Jul 2022.
Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) whether an update can be provided on the haj pilgrimage for 2022; (b) how will MUIS allocate the haj places to the pilgrims; (c) whether there will be concessions for those registered in the system but are turning 65 years old; and (d) how will MUIS handle appeal cases for the allocation of places for the pilgrimage.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced that Haj 2022 will be opened to one million pilgrims, comprising 850,000 international pilgrims. Singapore has been granted a Haj quota of 900 places, after being allocated with additional places in June 2022. Singapore was initially granted a Haj quota of 407 places, but with the additional quota, Singapore’s quota this year is similar to the official quota of 900 in previous years before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saudi Arabia also announced that this year’s haj pilgrims must be below 65 years old. In compliance with this age limit, there will be no concessions for those who are turning 65 years old this year. Pilgrims must be COVID-19 vaccinated with a Saudi-approved vaccine, and must submit a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours from the time of departure to Saudi Arabia.
Given the deferment of Haj for Singaporean pilgrims in 2020 and 2021, MUIS will allocate the limited Haj quota to pilgrims who were supposed to perform their haj in 2020 and meet the conditions and requirements for Haj 2022. MUIS has allocated pilgrims on a first-come-first-serve basis, based on their Haj registration dates. Given the short timeframe and the need to ensure timely allocation of the limited Haj places, MUIS could not accept any appeals for Haj this year.
All other pilgrims who are in the Advance Haj Registration System will be automatically moved up in the queue to perform Haj in subsequent years. Pilgrims’ eligibility to perform the Haj will continue to be subject to conditions and requirements mandated by the relevant Saudi authorities.
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