Ministry of Hajj and Umrah

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MHU; Arabic: وزارة الحج والعمرة) is a government ministry of Saudi Arabia responsible for organizing Hajj, Umrah and visitation affairs. It coordinates with government agencies, the private sector and Hajj-related bodies to facilitate services for pilgrims and visitors travelling to Mecca and Medina. The ministry was established in 1962 as the Ministry of Hajj and Endowments. It was later renamed the Ministry of Hajj, and in 2016 its name was changed to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The current minister is Tawfig Al-Rabiah, who was appointed on 15 October 2021. History The administrative organization of Hajj affairs in Saudi Arabia began before the establishment of the present ministry. Early arrangements included a General Directorate of Hajj under the Ministry of Finance, followed by the creation of the Ministry of Hajj and Endowments in 1962. The ministry was later renamed the Ministry of Hajj after endowment affairs were separated into another ministry. A royal order in 2016 changed the name to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Responsibilities The ministry is responsible for planning, regulating and supervising services for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors. Its work includes coordination with government agencies and the private sector, development of service systems, and support for pilgrim movement and access to services in Mecca, Medina and the holy sites. Strategic initiatives The ministry has launched initiatives connected with Saudi Arabia's pilgrimage-management and digital-transformation programmes. In 2016, Saudi Arabia introduced an electronic bracelet programme for Hajj pilgrims, intended to store pilgrim information and support identification and assistance during the pilgrimage. In 2019, more than 4.1 million Umrah visas were issued. In June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry announced that Hajj would be limited to 10,000 pilgrims as part of public-health measures. Nusuk The ministry launched Nusuk on 26 September 2022 as a digital platform and mobile application for pilgrims and visitors travelling to Mecca and Medina. The launch followed the earlier Eatmarna application, whose services included registration for Umrah and Hajj performers and permits for visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah. Nusuk is used for services related to Hajj, Umrah and visits to Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia, including Umrah permits, bookings for visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, support services and pilgrimage planning tools. Later service channels include Nusuk Hajj, for Hajj registration and package booking in eligible countries, and Nusuk Umrah, for international Umrah visa applications and related travel services. By March 2026, the platform had more than 51 million users worldwide. Grand Hajj Symposium The Grand Hajj Symposium is an annual scientific and cultural meeting organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah during the Hajj season. The ministry describes it as a platform for scholars and specialists to discuss issues related to Hajj, pilgrims and the wider Islamic community. The symposium has been held since 1397 AH, corresponding to 1977 AD. See also Ministries of Saudi Arabia Hajj Umrah References External links Official website