Pilgrims from Bosnia and Herzegovina intending to perform the Hajj in 2026 will have to submit a mandatory medical certificate for the first time since the Hajj was organized in our country, the head of the Office for Hajj and Umrah Dževad ef told the MINA Agency. Hadzic.
It is about the new regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are part of a wider package of restrictions introduced to reduce health risks during the largest annual gathering of Muslims in the world.
– It is forbidden to travel to people with failure of vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver or kidneys, severe neurological and psychiatric conditions, dementia in old age, high-risk pregnancy, active cancers undergoing therapy, and infectious diseases that represent a public health risk, such as open tuberculosis or hemorrhagic fevers. Each passenger must obtain a certificate from the family doctor that he does not suffer from the above-mentioned conditions. Without this confirmation, travel is not possible – explained Hadžić.
It is an international standard that cannot be bypassed.
A few days ago, Effendi Hadžić was a member of the delegation of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the international conference and hajj fair in Jeddah, led by Reisu-l-ulema Husein ef. Kavazovic.
Interest higher than the available quota
On that occasion, a number of key contracts for the coming year were signed, which include air transportation with the Flynas company, accommodation arrangements in Mecca and Medina, mutawlifa services (a local agency that takes care of our pilgrims during their stay in Saudi Arabia), and the organization of their stay in Arefat, Mina and Muzdelif.
Speaking about the organization of the hajj, he pointed out that it started unusually early, considering that the competition for applications was already announced at the beginning of August.
The interest was significantly higher than the available quota.
– The Ministry of Hajj of Saudi Arabia started organizational processes very early this year, so the competition for applications was announced at the beginning of August. By the end of the month we had all the names and more than a thousand people on the waiting list. An important novelty is the restriction that no more than 7 percent of the total quota can be older than 70 years. This caused difficulties, because among those who stayed last year, 150 were over 70 years old. The permitted limit is 154, so only four new applicants could be admitted this year. About 200 people over 70 years old are already on the waiting list, which means that some of them probably won’t be able to travel next year either because of Saudi Arabia’s regulations – said Hadžić.
The standard of service remains largely unchanged. Flynas remains the airline, and the same hotels in Mecca and Medina, as well as the same mutawlif, have been retained.
– We have no reason to change suppliers who proved to be reliable and high-quality in the previous season – said Hadžić.
The Hajj trip this year amounts to 14,250 KM. Hadžić also explained the process of forming the price, announced at the beginning of the month, saying that it depends solely on the supplier.
– We cannot announce the price until we receive the final amounts for accommodation, transportation and other services. If the supplier increases the price, the increase is reflected in the same proportion to the total price of Hajj. Inflation and the growth of costs on the market affect that, and we have to follow these trends – said Hadžić.
He emphasized that pilgrims cannot have even an approximate price for this trip before.
– It’s impossible. Until we have determined the prices with each supplier individually, the price cannot be published. If the price of the hotel is too high, we have to change the hotel or the location, but we try to stay within the earlier standards that the pilgrims are used to – said Effendi Hadžić.
First education at the end of April or beginning of May
Regarding the technical part of the preparations, he stated that the procedure will follow the same dynamics as in previous years: division of Hajj pilgrims into groups, selection of guides, work of the medical team and processing of electronic visas. He draws particular attention to the permit system introduced last year.
– Without a card with a QR code, today one cannot enter either Tawaf or Arefat. The rule “La hajja bi la tasrihi” – no Hajj without permission – remains in force. This is the way Saudi Arabia prevents the presence of illegal pilgrims – said Hadžić.
The first education for pilgrims is expected in the second half of April or the beginning of May.
– The activity plan will be drawn up immediately after Ramadan, and then we will announce the precise dates of education for each group – he stated.
At the end, Hadžić gives advice to pilgrims, especially those traveling for the first time, he reports Zenicablog.
– The most important thing is that they follow the instructions of the Hajj leadership and their guides. All recommendations and instructions will be conveyed to them in a timely manner. If they act according to the instructions, they will do everything correctly and without difficulty – said Hadžić.
