Online registration for Haj to open on July 20

Those who wish to perform Haj this year can register online with effect from the 1st of Ramadan (20 July). This has been announced by the department of Haj pilgrimage in the Ministry of Awqaf (Endowments) and Islamic Affairs as per the reports appearing in the local Arabic press. The registration is open to Qataris, GCC nationals as well as expatriates. The last date for registration for expatriates will be 20 Ramadan (8 August); and for Qataris and GCC nationals 15 Shawwal (2nd September); and 10 Ramadan (29 July) for those who are on an Emiri grant. The announcement was made on the occasion of launching of the department’s website on Sunday. Explaining the salient features of the website, the director of information technology at the ministry, Abdur Rahman Abdullah al-Merri said that the registration procedure is simple. The website has a unique design and is bilingual (Arabic/English). It explains to the applicant the various stages of the application from initial registration to the grant of Haj permit and the choice of mode of travel (air or by road) and the tour operator of his (applicant’s) choice. The deputy director of Haj at the ministry, Nassr Yusuf al-Sulaity said that with effect from this Haj season the format of agreement to be signed by the Haj tour operators has been unified.