Haj flights rescheduled, packages adjusted due to smaller quota

SINGAPORE: Muslim Singaporeans performing their Haj pilgrimage to Mecca this year will have their flights re—scheduled and packages adjusted. This is due to the fewer number of places granted by the Saudi government.

The Association of Muslim Travel Agents said this will only affect smaller groups of pilgrims, while the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore stressed that the quality of the packages offered by the agents will still be upheld.

Pilgrims going for their Haj were given a pre—departure briefing on Sunday morning.

680 Muslims were given visas, compared to 2,180 last year.

Singapore had appealed to the Saudi government to increase the quota this year to 1,500.

But the Saudi government decided to limit the number of visitors due to space constraints, as redevelopment works are being carried out near the pilgrimage sites.

The first group of pilgrims is expected to depart next Wednesday, with the bulk of the pilgrims leaving on October 20.

—CNA/ac