Morocco reduces 2025 Hajj costs, announces refunds for pilgrims

Wednesday 19 February 2025 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco reduces 2025 Hajj costs, announces refunds for pilgrims

The Royal Commission for Pilgrimage in Morocco has set the cost for the 2025 Hajj season (1446 H) at MAD 63,770 (6,377),reflectingareductionfromthepreviousyear’sfeeofMAD66,865.50(6,377), reflecting a reduction from the previous year’s fee of MAD 66,865.50 (6,377),reflectingareductionfromthepreviousyear’sfeeofMAD66,865.50(6,686). This year’s cost is also lower than the provisional fee of MAD 65,000 ($6,500), which pilgrims paid in advance.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs, pilgrims who initially paid the provisional fee between September 2 and September 20, 2024, via Barid Bank branches will receive a refund of MAD 1,230 ($123). The refund process commenced on Monday, as announced on Tuesday by the ministry.

Hajj preparations and quotas

Earlier this month, Minister of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq detailed Morocco’s arrangements for the 2025 pilgrimage during a parliamentary briefing. Morocco’s pilgrim quota is set at 34,000 participants, with 22,400 managed through official government channels and 11,600 through travel agencies.

Toufiq explained that the organization of the Hajj pilgrimage involves two main stages. The first is an annual meeting with officials from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other relevant stakeholders. The second stage involves coordination meetings of the Royal Commission for Pilgrimage, which includes representatives from various national departments.

To ensure a smooth experience for pilgrims, the minister revealed that one escort and one guide will be assigned to every group of 49 pilgrims. Training sessions for pilgrims, aimed at preparing them for the journey, have been conducted since November through regional Oulemas councils.

Hajj statistics

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics reported that last year’s Hajj season (1445 H) saw a total of 1,833,164 pilgrims in Mecca. Among these, 1,611,310 came from international destinations, while 221,854 were domestic pilgrims. Of the international pilgrims, 22.3% were from Arab countries, 63.3% from Asia, 11.3% from Africa, and 3.2% from Europe, the Americas, Australia, and other regions.

For this year, pilgrims supervised by the ministry are required to complete their payments through Barid Bank branches, using their National Identity Cards and selection certificates as part of the process.

This reduction in costs and the refund initiative highlight Morocco’s commitment to easing the financial burden on pilgrims while ensuring a well-organized pilgrimage experience.