Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir has said an announcement will soon be made for the bidding process to select and grant permission to companies to send pilgrims on the Islamic Pilgrimage of Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at a PSM News programme, Islamic Minister Zahir said the announcement is to be made in the first week of December, adding the ministry is starting the process early in order to better plan and make arrangements in advance.
The minister said if the companies can make arrangements beforehand, the costs involved will be lesser making the amount more affordable for the public. He said the ministry is also working to establish a Hajj portal to better manage and make it more convenient. The portal is expected to be completed by the time people start preparations for Hajj next year.
The Islamic minister said the portal will also attend to the cases of agencies taking extra charges from the pilgrims. He further explained individuals intending to perform Hajj must register on the portal, once it is launched.
The minister further explained the portal will display all services provided by the agencies and pilgrims can customise and select the services they require and pay for them accordingly. He said once the portal is established, the ministry will collect the money from individuals on behalf of the agencies and handover the money and the lists of pilgrims to the agencies.