Sultan bin Said al-Hinai, Head of the Omani Hajj Mission for 2018 (1439) has provided an update about the preparations for the Omani and
expatriate Hajj pilgrims. The Oman News Agency reports that the mission will leave
on 8 August. The pilgrims are to enter between 1 and 4 Dhulhijjah; the Hajj proper begins on 8 Dhulhijjah.
As quoted from the Oman News Agency article, Al-Hinai said that 13,048 Omanis and 550 expatriates were selected from over 27,000 Omani applications, and that 99.7% of the Hajjis have completed the basic requirements
for travel.
"The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs approved 85 companies
for the transfer of Hajjis including 79 for Omanis, three for Arab Hajjis and three for non-Arab Hajjis. Of the 14,000 Hajjis approved for Oman, 13,450
were booked for Omanis, 275 for Arabs and 275 for non-Arabs. Five percent of
the 14,000, or 700, were booked for administrators, technicians, drivers
and others who will accompany the Hajjis to provide the needed
services," he said.
"The Omani Hajj Mission this year comprises delegations for iftaa (الإفتاء, Islamic jurisprudence) and religious guidance, administrative and financial affairs, supervising
the Hajj companies, medical staff in addition to representatives of the
Public Prosecution, Royal Oman Police, media and scouting
delegation," he added.
"The Omani Hajj Mission signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Organization
for Arab Hajjis Contractors. The MoU includes the details of the
improved and additional services provided to Hajji at Mina and Arafat
camps. Another MoU has also been signed with the national
organisation to ensure smooth running of procedures and provide the
needed services in Al Madinah al Munawara," he continued.