Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
6 May 2024 | 14:00 CAT
3 min read

As the countdown to the Hajj draws closer, the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has taken proactive steps by dispatching its mission team to Jeddah ahead of the pilgrims.

Hafiz Moaaz Casoo, the head of SAHUC, explains the significance of this early arrival and updates on the preparations for the sacred journey in an interview with Radio Islam.

According to Casoo, in compliance with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah regulations, the SAHUC’s mission team comprises 34 individuals, including 13 medical professionals and a complement of field mission workers. These medical personnel, consisting of doctors and nurses, play a crucial role in providing primary healthcare services for our pilgrims in Madina. Subsequently, separate medical teams will be stationed in Makkah and Azizia, ensuring continuous healthcare support from the 25th of Dhul-Qadah through the Hajj days.

He noted that SAHUC will publish the operating hours for the clinics by the end of Monday, 6 May 2024.

Casoo highlighted the role of SAHUC’s field and mission team workers as the backbone of ensuring a smooth experience for the pilgrims. They are responsible for welcoming the Hujjaj upon their arrival, managing transportation logistics, overseeing camp operations, coordinating with catering companies, and facilitating the movement of pilgrims throughout the Hajj period.

The team will be divided among Medina, Jeddah, and Makkah to prepare for the arrival of the pilgrims. In Medina-al-Munawwarah, the focus will be on clearing medications and setting up clinics to cater to the needs of the first batch of pilgrims arriving on May 8th, 2024.

He emphasised that a significant change has been implemented regarding payments for the five days of Hajj starting this year. All payments are now required to be made through the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC), with each country processing payments exclusively through their respective Hajj missions. The previous practice of making payments via the e-Hajj systems through operators has been discontinued.

“The payment has to go from the SAHUC account to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and the same process goes for Visas; everything has to be done collectively as a country. We have had very stringent deadlines; it is about a country’s performance, and the timelines have to be met, but we have progressed well thus far. We have completed the majority of tasks regarding visas. We are awaiting the approval of 27 foreign visas from the ministries,” said Casoo.

Casoo highlighted, in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s move towards digitalisation, there’s been a noticeable shift towards electronic systems in various aspects, including Hajj operations. Mission teams are required to adapt and facilitate these changes

“The ministry does all of the medication electronically, and we will see how it unfolds over the next few days,” he said.

Hajj 2024, coinciding with South Africa’s Elections, presents a unique challenge, but arrangements have been made to ensure that South African pilgrims can still cast their vote in the country’s elections.

“We have spoken to the consulate general in Jeddah; voting day for all South Africans in the kingdom is the 17th of May, and we have notified people via social media and WhatsApp channels. You have to register in South Africa; if you are voting in Saudi Arabia, complete the application from the IEC website and change the voting area to Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One challenge we might face is that on that day, most of the Hujjaj are going to be based in Madina at that time. Travel is not as easy when on Hajj, so you need to get permission for a special travel permit and make arrangements at your own cost,” said Casoo.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Hafiz Moaaz Casoo, the head of SAHUC, here.