Rabat – Ahmed Toufiq, the Minister of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs, updated the House of Representatives on Monday regarding the preparations for Hajj 1446.
He outlined the primary organizational measures for the success of the current pilgrimage season for Moroccan Muslims.
“The organization of Hajj is based on two main stages,” Toufiq explained.
“The first is the annual meeting with officials from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia, as well as other relevant stakeholders. The second stage involves a meeting of the Royal Commission for Pilgrimage, which brings together various national departments involved in the process.”
In terms of national arrangements, the minister said the Royal Commission for Pilgrimage met on July 18 to establish the framework for the 1446 season and to coordinate efforts across all institutions.
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“The official cost of Hajj has been set at a fixed amount of MAD 65,000,” he continued.
Toufiq added that the quota of Moroccan pilgrims had been fixed at 34,000, out of which 22,400 are being handled by official government channels and 11,600 via travel agencies.
Regarding supervision. “One escort and one guide will be assigned for every group of 49 pilgrims,” he specified.
The minister further announced that training sessions for all pilgrims had been ongoing since November in the regional Oulemas councils.
Toufiq also stated they are collaborating with Saudi officials, assuring that preparations are underway from both countries.
“All efforts are being made to ensure the comfort of pilgrims and to facilitate the performance of Hajj rites,” he said.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is very spiritually significant for Muslims. Every Muslim who is physically and financially capable is supposed to make this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime, often during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.
