PILGRIMS from Bahrain have been urged to strictly follow all Haj regulations, or risk being denied entry to the holy sites.
The Foreign Ministry warning comes as over the years there have been reports of pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia on the pretext of visiting family, as tourists or for shopping and then illegally joining Saudi Haj operators.
“Pilgrims who do not have Haj permits will not be allowed to enter the holy sites,” said Jeddah-based Bahrain General Consul and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation Moosa Abdulla Alnoaimi.
He added that the consulate would work round the clock to ease procedures for pilgrims in Mecca during the Haj, from tomorrow until next Friday.
“The consulate has opened an office at An Naseem in Mecca to cater to Bahrain pilgrims and follow up on their needs,” said Mr Alnoaimi.
A total of 4,625 pilgrims are set to travel from Bahrain after the Saudi authorities reinstated Manama’s original pre-pandemic quota.
Last year, Bahrain’s quota was set at 2,094 pilgrims, following two years of closure due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Bahrain pilgrims are divided between 61 Haj operators licensed by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry.
Haj is a sacred pilgrimage that is required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime – it is one of the five pillars of Islam.
In normal times, millions of Muslims from across the world annually travel to and perform Haj in Mecca during Dhu Al Hijjah, which started on Monday.
This year, more than two million pilgrims from more than 160 countries are expected to perform the Haj, according to Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah.
The number of flight reservations for those entering Saudi Arabia for the Haj was at 1.7m, he added.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Haj Mission head Shaikh Adnan Al Qattan told the GDN from Mecca yesterday that all the pilgrims were well.
Also speaking from Mecca, Al Kadhem Transport, Tourist and Travels board vice-chairman and chief executive Mahmood Al Kadhem said the cost of Haj this year is between BD2,000 and BD2,800, which is normal.
“It is true that Bahrain’s numbers have been reinstated but there are new expenses that we have to incur, either related to costs imposed by the Saudi authorities or due to inflation,” said Mr Al Kadhem, whose family runs the oldest religious tour operator in Bahrain.
“However, the quality of services has gone up as new obligations have been introduced, be it in food, accommodation, transportation, private healthcare staff, or other requirements to ensure pilgrims coming with licensed Haj operators are safe,
“As a licensed operator, we also have direct access to pilgrims to ensure they don’t get stuck or delayed in the Holy Mosque.”
He added that the Bahrain Haj Mission officials were in regular contact and visited all accommodations.
The general consulate urged Bahrain pilgrims to use its hotline 00966555981983 and 00966509757713, email: jeddah.mission@mofa.gov.bh, or follow it on Twitter @BahrainConKSA
Alternatively, they can call the Foreign Ministry in Bahrain on 009731722755 or 0097317212006.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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