Support Worth Over RO 200,000 Given to Citizens for Haj Pilgrimage

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 9, 2026

Oman's Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs provided over RO 200,000 in financial support to Social Security-registered citizens to enable their participation in this year's Haj pilgrimage, which saw 13,000 Omani pilgrims with a 98 percent satisfaction rate. The ministry introduced innovations such as a health-monitoring smartwatch and a digital bus tracking system to enhance safety and service quality, while also launching initiatives to further develop the Haj experience ahead of the next season.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Oman reported providing support valued at over RO 200,000 to citizens registered under the Social Security system, facilitating their participation in the Haj pilgrimage without financial burden. This assistance was delivered through the ‘Awqaf Bait Al Ribat’ programme, according to a statement from the ministry.

During a press conference held on July 8 in Muscat, Ahmed bin Saleh al Rashdi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry and Head of the Oman Haj Mission, highlighted several initiatives and outcomes from the recent Haj season. He noted a 98 percent satisfaction rate among Omani pilgrims, attributing the success to strong government guidance and collaboration with multiple government and private sector entities, as well as the Ministry of Haj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia.

A total of 13,000 pilgrims from Oman participated in the Haj this year, with 10,966 traveling by air and 3,034 by land. The average cost of traveling by air was approximately RO 2,013, while the land route averaged RO 1,647 per pilgrim. The ministry emphasized efforts to enhance safety and improve the quality of services, including a reduction of more than 2,000 pilgrims opting to travel by land compared to the previous Haj season (1446 AH), which saw 5,122 pilgrims traveling overland.

Among new measures introduced was the ‘Tataman wa Ta’ammin’ initiative, a smartwatch designed for elderly pilgrims, individuals with disabilities, and those with health concerns. The device offers health tracking, direct notifications, and precise medical monitoring to improve in-transit care. Additionally, a digital tracking system for Omani buses traveling overland was implemented to monitor their movements in real-time, enabling rapid response and increased safety for pilgrims.

Further development efforts included the organisation of the Second Haj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition, with participation from over 60 governmental and private local and international stakeholders. During the conference, 19 working papers and workshops were conducted, and four memoranda of understanding were signed to advance Haj-related services.

The ministry also launched the ‘Haj Lab’ initiative, which facilitated the evaluation of more than 133 development ideas and hosted over 32 meetings with relevant parties to enhance the pilgrimage experience. Another aviation-related program contributed to a RO 40 reduction in airfare per pilgrim, collectively saving more than RO 490,000.

Al Rashdi confirmed that preparations for the 1448 AH Haj season had commenced prior to the completion of the previous season, with the Oman Haj Mission having already received preliminary arrangements. The ministry pledged to continue refining the Haj system and elevating service standards for future pilgrimages.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.