Saturday January 11, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, Somalia's Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, today signed the country's official Hajj quota agreement in Saudi Arabia, securing pilgrim slots for Somali Muslims in this year's Hajj.
Robow and his delegation were warmly welcomed by officials from the Somali Consulate in Jeddah on Thursday. The signing ceremony is part of an essential gathering of Islamic nations, where countries finalize the number of pilgrims they can send to Mecca.
The cost for Somali pilgrims in 2025 has increased to $4,604, reflecting rising travel and accommodation prices in Saudi Arabia. The Somali Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs announced the fee, which covers transportation, lodging, and logistical arrangements in both Somalia and Saudi Arabia. While officials have emphasized efforts to provide high-quality services, Somali pilgrims face significant financial challenges due to the price hike.
Somali pilgrims pay nearly three times that amount compared to neighbouring countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti, where Hajj packages are as low as $1,600. This pricing disparity has led to growing frustration among Somali citizens and senior officials.
Somali pilgrims have long faced some of the highest fees in the region. In 2022, the cost was between $5,500 and $6,000; in 2024, it was slightly reduced to $4,434. Despite efforts to decrease prices, the disparity remains a point of contention.
The Ministry's announcement follows the work of a Somali-Saudi expert committee formed in 2023 to monitor service quality and ensure compliance with health and safety standards. The committee has worked to improve transparency in the Hajj process, inspecting accommodations and coordinating travel arrangements.
The first group of Somali pilgrims is expected to depart for Saudi Arabia in mid-May. Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a spiritual duty for Muslims who are financially and physically able to undertake the journey. For Somali Muslims, securing a spot in this year's pilgrimage, despite the rising costs, is a significant milestone both religiously and culturally.