A new open market for Haj excursions appears to have led to significant price reductions and increased accessibility for Bahraini pilgrims, with the average cost now ranging from BD400 to BD1,000.
Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda told MPs during a three-hour-long open debate yesterday that new Haj policies were aimed at easing pilgrimages and not securing excessively profitable income for operators.
“We all knew how expensive Haj used to be,” he said. “Every year, MPs would reach out to secure registrations for individuals who were previously excluded.
“The campaigns were limited in number and Bahrainis often struggled to find a spot.”
The minister explained that the Supreme Haj Committee decided to open the market to hopefully encourage greater accessibility and affordability.
“The priority is the Bahraini pilgrim,” he said. “We informed Haj operators about the new mechanism, which included a requirement of securing at least 90 pilgrims per campaign.”
Mr Al Maawda further noted that competition among Haj operators has resulted in substantial price reductions.
“We launched the online platform, and despite controlling traffic, we were overwhelmed by an unprecedented surge of applications,” he said.
“Within the first three hours, 6,000 pilgrims had registered across 56 campaigns. By the end of the process, we had 14,000 Bahrainis who wanted to go for Haj.”
Additionally, he pointed out that 98 per cent of those registered were first-time pilgrims, indicating that the new system had ‘improved fairness and accessibility’.
“Unlike previous years, where repeat pilgrims dominated registrations, this year’s system ensured that first-time pilgrims had priority. Shouldn’t we celebrate making Haj easier for Bahrainis?”
While some MPs acknowledged the benefits of the new system, others voiced strong objections regarding its implementation.
Services committee vice- chairman MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi, who is leading the campaign against the changes, criticised the platform.
“The system has adversely affected 31 Haj operators, each representing a business and a family,” he said. “Additionally, many campaign guides have suffered financial losses.”
Several MPs demanded an official investigation into some early technical hiccups on the platform.
First deputy speaker Abdulnabi Salman, who chaired the session in the second half, clarified that the general-gecretariat office did not reject the investigation request but instead suggested a general discussion first.
“If no solution emerges from this discussion, then the matter can be escalated to a probe and even questioning the minister.”
MP Hanan Fardan acknowledged that the new system had successfully reduced costs but expressed concern over the exclusion of long-established Haj operators.
She also suggested introducing financial support programmes for citizens who still struggle with the costs of Haj.
MP Dr Hisham Al Asheeri questioned how authorities planned to crack down on unlicensed campaigns operating from within Saudi Arabia. “While we support lower Haj costs, some Bahrainis have already registered for Haj from inside Saudi Arabia. How will this be controlled?” he asked.
In response, Mr Al Maawda reassured MPs that the government would take strict action against any unauthorised promoters, citing last year’s action that witnessed an unlicensed contractor being jailed.
Mr Al Maawda maintained that the goal was to ‘serve the Bahraini pilgrim’.
He dismissed claims that the new system was designed to hurt specific businesses, emphasising that market dynamics naturally result in some promotions succeeding while others do not.
MP Mohammed Al Ahmed defended the minister’s decision. “In previous parliaments, MPs constantly demanded lower Haj costs,” he said. “Now that the minister has taken bold action, resulting in competition and price reductions, we must appreciate this step.
“No decision is ever perfect but the priority should be organising Haj, not protecting business profits.”
As Mr Al Maawada concluded that the system remained under continuous review and adjustments would be made when and where necessary.
There is an allocation for 4,600 Haj pilgrims from Bahrain.
Haj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims.
Haj is a mandatory religious duty for capable Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adults who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and of supporting their family during their absence from home.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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