publish time

24/09/2023

author name Arab Times

publish time

24/09/2023

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 24: A new protocol has been introduced to facilitate the registration of bedoun – people who are living illegally in Kuwait with no recognized nationality -- who wish to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage during the upcoming season, reports Al-Qabas daily.

They will now be included in the Kuwaiti pilgrim lists, following specific conditions outlined by the Supreme Committee for Hajj. The primary objective is to streamline the registration process and avoid any delays. Once approvals are granted by Saudi authorities, the registration will progress.

In addition, approved Kuwaiti Hajj campaigns have commenced efforts to secure lodging for the pilgrims in the Holy Land no later than a month before the pilgrimage. During this phase, details regarding contracts, prices, and the commencement of registration in October will be disclosed.

It has been noted that a total of 62 caravans have been designated to partake in Hajj for the forthcoming season. Each caravan is mandated to have a minimum of 50 registered pilgrims, with a maximum cap set at 250 pilgrims for individual campaigns. For combined campaigns organized by companies, the numbers will be doubled, allowing a maximum of 600 pilgrims for doubles and triples combined, and 800 pilgrims for quartets.

Officials have underscored that the Ministry of Awqaf has coordinated with all authorized entities utilizing the electronic platform, gathering their information. The grouping of registrations will be based on kinship for the upcoming Hajj season, focusing on the first and second degrees of kinship within the group.

The registration period will be sufficient once the central platform for pilgrim registration is made accessible, extended from one month to forty days. The criteria for Hajj and the selection process will prioritize individuals who have not previously undertaken Hajj. Preference will be given to groups consisting of relatives, and the sorting will be based on the eldest member. Additionally, the bedoun security card must remain valid throughout this process.