Hajj 2024: What’s New?

Introduction

Preparations for Hajj have been in full swing as the issuance period for Hajj visas ended on April 29th, 2024. Saudi authorities began releasing Hajj visas to pilgrims in early March 2024, with the Hajj 2024 season falling between June 14, Friday, and June 19, Wednesday.

The Saudi government is expecting millions of pilgrims once again to arrive for their Hajj journey starting on the first day of Dhul Qaidah, which falls on May 9th. In 2023, the number of pilgrims was over 1.8 million.

If you’re embarking on the Hajj pilgrimage, you must know the latest Hajj 2024 news and updates. Are there any changes to the Hajj regulations and guidelines? Are there new services available to pilgrims? How can you prepare for it, especially if it’s your first time?

In this article, we share important developments that every pilgrim must know, as well as reminders to ensure a safe and peaceful Hajj pilgrimage.

What’s new for Hajj 2024

In January 2024, Saudi authorities gathered prominent thinkers, innovators, researchers, and businessmen to take part in the Hajj and Umrah Conference & Exhibition 2024, an annual forum that aims to enhance pilgrimage services.

The international conference involved a series of workshops and training sessions that reviewed services around logistics and transportation, housing and hospitality, infrastructure and development projects, entrepreneurship, investments, technology, and health care.

In line with this, several developments and changes to Hajj guidelines and regulations may be of importance to you. Read on to learn more.

Flying taxis to provide airport-to-hotel transfers for Hajj pilgrims

Flying taxis will be fetching Hajj pilgrims arriving at King Abdulaziz International Airport by 2026.
Saudi Arabia’s airline Saudia purchased 100 Lilium jets—German electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft—to transport pilgrims from the said airport to their hotels in Mecca. Each Lilium jet can accommodate four to six passengers at a time and can travel a maximum distance of 250 kilometers.
These flying taxis have a low rate of carbon emission, promoting sustainable air travel and shortened travel time.

Compensation for domestic pilgrims over accommodation contract violations

In February 2024, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah announced that domestic pilgrims who would take part in the year’s Hajj would receive compensation for accommodation contract violations. This includes tents in holy places in Mecca.

Should a domestic pilgrim experience housing delays exceeding two hours in Mecca or other sacred sites, he or she would be compensated. The compensation would be equal to 10 percent of the booked accommodation package.

On the other hand, if the housing delay was under two hours but rendered in a way incompliant with the accommodation contract, the compensation would amount to five percent of the package.

The service provider with the violation would be subject to a 15 percent penalty of the accommodation package value in the event of repeat offenses.

In March 2024, Saudi authorities licensed 1,860 buildings that will be used as accommodation for approximately 1.2 million pilgrims. The deadline for landlords to apply for a building license is until May 8th, with the Saudi government anticipating the total number of licenses to reach beyond 5,000.

Nusuk App Upgrades

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah announced several updates to Nusuk, the app designed to be a one-stop-shop for pilgrims all over the world.

Nusuk is a holistic platform where pilgrims can design their spiritual journey by planning and booking their Umrah itinerary. Pilgrims can use it to apply for an e-visa, as well as to book flights and hotel accommodation. It accepts Hajj applications and issues Umrah permits, as well as prayer permits in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah.

The revamped Nusuk app has added several enhancements, such as improved navigation, fast browsing, detailed documentation, and refined aesthetics.

For instance, users can now find the following features on the Nusuk app:

• Hajj, Umrah, and Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa permits
• Real-time crowding status at prayer places
• Prayer times and Qibla direction
• Live Friday sermon broadcast
• Electric vehicle reservation
• Purchasing communication and internet packages
• Imams’ and muezzins’ schedules
• Baggage shipping service
• Transportation services guide
• Health insurance assurance

In addition, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah also warned pilgrims about counterfeit Hajj campaigns, directing them towards the official Nusuk website.

Reminders

On top of the aforementioned developments, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reminded pilgrims that they cannot perform Hajj with a tourist visa. There is a dedicated Hajj visa that is valid only during the pilgrimage season.

Travelers who wish to obtain a Hajj visa must do so through Saudi Arabia’s authorized service providers. Packages are available from travel agencies that include the Hajj visa, as well as their accommodation and transport in Mecca during Hajj.

Health Guidelines

To ensure you are safe from potentially contracting conditions, you must acquire certain vaccinations before performing Hajj. Note that medical insurance is not automatically provided to Hajj pilgrims, therefore, seek the advice of your healthcare provider before traveling.

Required vaccinations

Neisseria Meningitidis: You must produce a valid vaccination certificate proving you have received four doses of the meningitis vaccine. The vaccine should have been administered at least 10 days before your arrival at the Hajj sites.

Polio: This applies only to countries where polio cases are still on the rise. Produce a valid vaccination certificate proving you have received at least one dose of either bivalent oral polio vaccine (Bopv) or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The vaccine should have been administered between four weeks and 12 months before you entered Saudi Arabia.

Yellow Fever: This applies to all pilgrims above nine months old, where yellow fever continues to be prevalent. You must present a valid vaccination certificate indicating that you’ve been vaccinated against polio before arriving in Saudi Arabia. The certificate only becomes valid ten days after vaccination and it remains valid for life.

Recommended vaccinations

SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19): This is ideal for pilgrims aged 12 years and above. They must have received all doses of Saudi Arabia’s approved COVID-19 vaccines. These include:

1. Pfizer-BioNTech
2. Moderna
3. Oxford/AstraZeneca
4. Janssen
5. Covovax
6. Nuvaxovid
7. Sinopharm
8. Sinovac
9. Covexin
10. Sputnik V
11. Seasonal influenza: It is advisable to obtain this vaccination at least 10 days before you visit Hajj sites, especially for pregnant women, children below five years old, senior citizens, and people with weak immune systems or chronic conditions.

Good personal hygiene etiquette

Good personal hygiene is a must especially if you will take part in Hajj where crowds can be made up of to two million people. The following are some personal hygiene practices to practice:

1. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have tissue, use the inside part of your elbow.
2. Wear clean clothes. Apart from the massive crowds, the hot weather can be challenging to deal with.
3. Make sure to wear fresh, clean, comfortable, and breathable fabrics.
4. Keep your living space clean. Make sure to regularly clean the place you’ll be staying at during Hajj to keep allergens, bacteria, and viruses at bay.
5. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth regularly for good oral health.
6. Wash your hands. Learn the proper handwashing steps with soap and water to prevent the spread of diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although we’ve covered news and updates on Hajj 2024, you may still have a lot of questions about the pilgrimage, such as how you can book a Hajj package, as well as traveling to Saudi Arabia in general. Read on for helpful answers to some frequently asked questions.

When is Hajj 2024 in Saudi Arabia?

Hajj 2024 is expected to take place from the evening of June 14th, 2024, Friday to June 19th, 2024, Wednesday. It runs for five days during the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar called the Dhul-Hijjah.

How can I book a package for Hajj 2024?

For non-Muslim countries, packages are available on the Nusuk website and mobile application. These are offered by travel agencies or service providers authorized by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.
Hajj packages for Muslim countries, meanwhile, are typically managed by local authorities.

The cost will vary depending on your country of origin, as well as the types of accommodation and transport you select as part of your Hajj package.

How can I apply for Hajj in 2024?

Pilgrims must register for Hajj 2024 via the Nusuk Hajj application, which is governed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah. This covers pilgrims from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania. For Muslim countries, Hajj is typically managed by local authorities and the participation is commonly determined through a lottery system.

Once they are registered, they may apply for a Hajj visa through authorized service providers such as travel agencies.

How long is Hajj 2024?

The Hajj pilgrimage takes place over the course of five days, from the evening of June 14th, 2024, Friday to June 19th, 2024, Wednesday.

Was there Hajj in 2020?

Yes, Hajj took place in 2020, although because it was a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, pilgrims unaffected by the virus had to go into quarantine for a week in their hotel rooms or homes near Mecca before doing Hajj. News reports in July 2020 state that only 1,000 pilgrims were present that year than the usual two million.

Conclusion

Preparations are underway for Hajj 2024 as Muslims continue to register for the pilgrimage and avail of travel packages from authorized service providers. The registration ends on April 29th, 2024.

Hajj 2024 is expected to take place from the evening of June 14th, 2024, Friday to June 19th, 2024, Wednesday. It runs for five days during the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar called the Dhul-Hijjah.

Saudi authorities have made several developments to enhance the experience of Hajj pilgrims, from the availability of flying taxis, compensation for pilgrims who have experienced housing delays, to improved features on the Nusuk Hajj application.

The Saudi government expects pilgrims to start arriving as early as May 9th. In 2023, over 1.8 million pilgrims performed Hajj.

For more information on Hajj requirements and guidelines, visit https://hajj.nusuk.sa/.