By Annisa Essack
30062022

Hafez Ebrahim Moosa enlightened us about the Makkah Route initiative launched in 2018 when the Saudi authorities began to implement measures to ease travel procedures for pilgrims from abroad. The service was first introduced in Malaysia and Indonesia, two countries with the most significant proportion of Hajj pilgrims annually.

The initiative’s benefits decrease the challenges for the Saudis, and the Hujjaj experience a less stressful arrival process. Unlike the Motawif system, which rolled out prematurely, it has been tried and tested and proved to be a blessing.

Sri Lanka is not part of the Makkah Route initiative yet, and with highly dire economic and political upheaval, the Hujjaj are left between a rock and a hard place. The umbrella association of Hajj travellers in Sri Lanka decided that they would suspend operations and would not bear the exorbitant cost as the money was needed in the country as the foreign exchange was required to improve the economic situation.

However, the Sri Lankan government stepped in, allowing the pilgrims to make the journey but with a restriction imposed – all Hujjaj would have to pay for the pilgrimage with foreign currency from abroad at the cost of $1500 or R25 000.

Given the backdrop and uncertainty, he said he didn’t expect the quota to be filled.

Moving to the Southeast Asia region, where huge quotas are expected annually in the holy cities, the Singaporeans make up only 407 hujjaj this year.

And gearing up for their trip, the group participated in a 5 km hike which would prepare them for the long periods of walking required during the Hajj. It was also seen as an excellent way to ensure healthier lifestyles.

The hike also had an education component where those who had gone on Hajj shared their experiences with the current Hujjaj, thus providing them with valuable, tried, and tested tips and information.

Hafez Ebrahim thought the initiative should be replicated in other countries for the numerous benefits.

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