Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MAKKAH — Some domestic pilgrim service companies insist on women signing up through electronic gate of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah to have a mahram (male guardian) accompanying them.

The e-portal for the registration of internal pilgrims opened at 8 a.m. Monday.

“Since the portals opened they have been highly crowded. Like every year, the Haj campaigns are aiming to become affordable this year in order to facilitate the pilgrimage for pilgrims. The price per person ranges from SR3,500 to SR5,000,” said Saad Al-Qurashi, executive member of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said only 20 percent of Saudi pilgrims register for the low-cost campaigns. Most of them prefer to register in campaigns costing SR7,000 due to the better services offered.

“Requiring a mahram for women pilgrims is the policy of some but not all haj services companies. Registering through the portal is simple and easy to follow. The Ministry of Haj has posted a video on YouTube showing how users can follow the necessary steps to register for a Haj campaign,” said Al-Qurashi.

He added the video is only two minutes and 46 seconds. “The user has to define the type of Haj program they want to be in, the number of pilgrims, the city they are from, prepayment or post payment, Haj package, contact information and additional services,” said Al-Qurashi.