Somalia´s Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued regulations on the Hajj and Umrah following a public outcry last pilgrimage that agents were overcharging pilgrims headed to for the annual religious rite.
In a statement released by the Ministry, all agencies are now required to register with the ministry and the Hajj fees regulated.
All travel agencies are required to register between 7th and 20th of January.
The Ministry states that it intends to protect the rights of the pilgrims after the public complained of unregulated Hajj fees.
“The ministry together with the Federal Government will review hajj expenses on the Somali pilgrim.”
Hajj visa process is expected to be more accessible to Somalis upon opening up of a bureau at the Saudi Embassy in Mogadishu.