PM receives Saudi minister of Hajj and umrah

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Wednesday met Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al Rabiah.

Khasawneh commended the Saudi government's efforts towards organising the pilgrimage season for this year and receiving pilgrims from all over the world, following a two-year halt due to the repercussions of the pandemic. 

The premier also highlighted the high level of coordination between the Jordanian Awqaf Ministry and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for facilitating measures for Jordanian pilgrims.

Emphasising the "solid" Jordanian-Saudi relations and coordination in various fields, Rabiah commended the efforts of the Jordanian Hajj Mission (JHM) to improve service provision, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Also on Wednesday, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalaileh and Rabiah discussed a number of pilgrimage-related issues.

Khalaileh highlighted the ministry's efforts towards guidance and fighting extremism and terrorism.

Jordan is home to 7,000 mosques, the minister said, adding that there are 5,000 imams and clergymen.

On the pilgrimage, Khalaileh said that 20,000 applicants have registered to express their wish to perform the Hajj this year, noting that the quota was chosen according to age, as well as those who have savings in the Hajj fund at a rate of 20 per cent.

Rabiah highlighted his country's keenness to provide the best services for all pilgrims, noting that a decision was taken to reduce the number of pilgrims to one million this year, compared with the pre-pandemic figures, before 2019.