Pre-Operation Of The Hajj Season 1442H/2021M

Cluster	Question	Answer
QUOTA	How will TH selects the Hajj Pilgrims if the quota is reduced?	TH is still maintaining the rotation system, where the first in the list gets prioritized. Priority will be given to PH (Prospect Hajj, (Bakal Haji) who has been listed to perform Hajj in 1441H/2020M. In other words, PHs are prioritized in accordance to the list approved in the year 1441H for the 1442H Hajj season, based on date and time of Hajj registration.
	What is the expected pilgrimage quota this year?	So far, there has been no official announcement on the Hajj quota from the Saudi Arabian Government. This year's quota will take into account the safety & health aspects as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
	Is TH ready if the quota is increased to 40,000 this year?	TH has and is actively preparing to ensure the smooth operation of the 1442H/2021M Hajj season despite facing various challenges due to current global Covid-19 pandemic.
	If the quota is reduced this year, does this mean that PHs who have made Hajj appeals will not have a chance at all?	The selection of PHs is subject to the allocated quota. Priorities will be given to PHs from 1441H/2020M season whose Hajj has been postponed due to the pandemic. All Hajj appeals will be evaluated according to the merits set with priority to mahram appeals.
	If the quota is reduced and I am not selected despite being given priority, will I still be given priority for 2022?	Priorities will be given to PHs listed for 1441H/2020M Hajj season. For those not selected for 1442H/2021M, they will be given priority for 1443H/2022M (subject to vacancy and current year selection criteria).
	When can Malaysia send 41,600 pilgrims based on the additional quota given by Saudi Arabia?	TH is prepared to manage all PHs based on the number of basic and additional quotas given by the Government of Saudi Arabia.
	If the age requirement is set at 60 years and below, what about PH who is over 60 years old? Can TH appeal to Saudi Arabia for leniency next year?	So far, there has been no official announcement regarding the age requirement for PH to be eligible for Hajj this year. If the age requirement of 60 years and below is set, PHs over the age of 60 will be included in the next year's list, and will still be subject to the Hajj rules set by the Government of Saudi Arabia. Among the obligatory conditions of Hajj is ISTITO'AH, which is 'to be able', which involves aspects of health, finance, quota and travel safety.
HEALTH EXAMINATION, COVID-19 & VACCINE	How will Covid-19 vaccination affect PH health screening?	Each PH has to go through and must pass a health examination according to a new health criteria and guidelines before allowed to leave for the Holy Land. PHs are required to obtain meningococcal vaccine after passing the health examination and is advised to obtain pneumococcal and influenza vaccine injections as additional protection. The Covid-19 vaccination program is a separate activity to the PH health screening requirements. In line with the Malaysian Government's recommendation, every citizen must register through a designated channel such as the MySejahtera application for the process of obtaining the Covid 19 vaccine injection.
	Can PHs get their own injections (other than the Covid-19 vaccine) and can the fee be reimbursed?	For the compulsory meningococcal vaccine, this injection is given free of charge after the PH passed the health examination at a Government health facility (Ministry of Health Malaysia) However, if the PH wants to get this mandatory meningococcal injection at a private health facility, the cost of this vaccine has to be borne by the PH herself/himself. For additional pneumococcal and influenza vaccine injections, both vaccines are highly recommended as additional protection and are only available at private health facilities. The cost of these vaccines has to be borne by the PH herself/himself.
	Will a PH be given priority for covid vaccination?	In line with the Government's recommendation, every Malaysian, including a PH, needs to register through designated channels such as the MySejahtera application to get the Covid-19 vaccine injection. The priority of this Covid-19 vaccine injection is based on the National Covid-19 Immunization Program.
	Does Saudi Arabia accept all types of vaccine injections?	Currently, the Government of Saudi Arabia accepts Pfizer BioNtech and Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine injections.
	What is TH's preparation in the event of a Covid-19 infection among the Congregation in the Holy Land?	TH and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) will always be on top of everything related to the welfare and health of the pilgrims. TH and MOH have developed a number of standard operating procedures (SOP) in the Homeland and the Holy Land to be followed by every pilgrim as well as the Official Malaysian Hajj Entourage. However, management of health cases and Covid-19 in the Holy Land is subject to health protocols and directives by the Government of Saudi Arabia.
	What is the current situation of covid cases in Saudi Arabia? Does TH expect there to be a pilgrimage this year because there is already a vaccine?	According to a report released by the WHO, new Covid-19 cases in Saudi Arabia are under control and are currently at the level of 410 cases as of March 24, 2021. TH is always on standby for any latest updates regarding the Hajj pilgrimage by the Government of Saudi Arabia.
	Will TH manage to send pilgrims this year as there has been no statement from Saudi Arabia regarding the Hajj and taking into account the time period between the first and second vaccines?	TH has been doing initial planning and preparation since 2020. TH will continuously work with the Ministry of Health Malaysia in planning the time required to prepare the PHs, including the Covid-19 vaccination program. TH strives to send as many pilgrims as possible depending on the date of the official announcement from the Government of Saudi Arabia.
	Will TH add health workers to curb Covid-19 among the Jemaah?	TH always works well with the Ministry of Health Malaysia in providing the best and adequate health services and staffs in the Holy Land. The addition of Medical Delegation staff is subject to the protocol and health directives of the Government of Saudi Arabia. A special Covid-19 medical team will be established in the Holy Land and locally during the pilgrimage operations.
	Are PHs with chronic illnesses allowed to perform Hajj this year?	PHs who suffer from chronic diseases do not meet the obligatory requirements of Hajj (health istito'ah). In the event of a Covid-19 pandemic, PHs with chronic illnesses are at high risk and are not allowed to perform the pilgrimage this year.
OFFER LETTER	When will the offer letter be issued?	TH has made plans and is ready to arrange for PHs to leave for the Holy Land. The 1442H/2021M Hajj offer letter will be issued as soon as TH receives the official approval of the 1442H Hajj quota from the Government of Saudi Arabia to allow the Hajj to be performed.
OFFER LETTER	What is TH's current concern; because usually the offer letter is issued at the end of the year or the beginning of the year?	TH has made careful plans to launch the Hajj operation especially in terms of accommodation, flights, food and drink, and staffs. TH has also identified PHs who will be given priority to perform Hajj this year based on the allocation year, date and time of Hajj registration. The 1442H/2021M Hajj offer letter will be issued as soon as TH receives the official approval of the 1442H Hajj quota from the Government of Saudi Arabia to allow the Hajj to be performed.
HAJJ FEES & PAYMENT	Will the Hajj fess remain this year?	Hajj payments for Muassasah pilgrims will be notified when the status of Hajj is determined by the Government of Saudi Arabia.
	How much has the cost of pilgrimage increased so far with the new norm due to Covid-19?	Hajj costs are expected to increase this year compared to last year as there are some additional costs impacted by the Value-added Tax (VAT) increase from 5% to 15%, foreign exchange rate, Hajj visa charges amounting to SR300 and inflation rate in Saudi Arabia. Hajj costs are also expected to be affected by new SOPs such as physical distancing, quarantine requirements and Covid-19 testing as well as the Pilgrims' health care.
	Will Hajj fees go up in 2022?	Hajj fees will be set for the current year.
	Is the Hajj fee cheaper this year considering there was no Hajj last year?	Hajj payment is set for the current year (1442H/2021M) and it has nothing to do with the cancellation of Hajj in the previous year (1441H/2020M).
LOGISTICS	How is TH's logistics preparation this year? Does TH need to increase the number of flights and the number of hotel rooms?	TH has made plans and is ready in terms of logistical requirements to ensure the smooth operation of the 1442H/2021M pilgrimage season. Any preparations in terms of the number of pilgrim charter flights and accommodation rooms will be subject to official quotas and physical distancing SOPs to be set by the Government of Saudi Arabia.
LOGISTICS	What significant changes will the Pilgrims face this year in the Holy Land? In terms of accommodation, logistics and pilgrimage?	Based on the observations of last year's Hajj and current Umrah protocol, there is physical distancing, by-group movements and a schedule of worship during tawaf and sa'ie. To date, the SOP and new rules for performing this year's Hajj have not been announced by the Government of Saudi Arabia.
HAJJ EXECUTION	How long will the Pilgrims be in the Holy Land?	The duration of the pilgrimage in the Holy Land will take into account the instructions and decisions of the Government of Saudi Arabia.
	What is the way to perform Hajj that TH recommends for pilgrims this year?	TH does not prescribe a specific way to perform the Hajj. Hajj pilgrims can choose how to perform Hajj (Tamattu'/ Ifrad/ Qiran) according to the date of arrival in the Holy Land as well as the relevant rules set by the Government of Saudi Arabia.
	How is the implementation of the Perdana Haji Course this year?	The Perdana Haji course is being planned to be held online.
	What are the latest innovations/improvements of TH related to Hajj guidance this year?	TH has stepped up its digitalization initiatives such as organizing online hajj courses and will introduce applications such as e-TAIB and THhujjaj.
HAJJ PACKAGES	Will there be private companies managing Hajj packages this year?	Only licensed Hajj Organizers (PJH) can offer Hajj packages based on the Hajj Fund Act. This year, TH has issued licenses to a total of 22 companies. TH has also announced this list on March 25, 2021 and it is available on the TH website.