Medical certificate mandatory for all pilgrims from this year

(Patria) - Pilgrims from Bosnia and Herzegovina intending to perform the Hajj in 2026 will have to submit a mandatory medical certificate for the first time since the Hajj has been organized in our country, stated the head of the Hajj and Umrah Office, Dževad-ef. Hadžić, for MINA Agency.

These are new regulations from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are part of a broader package of restrictions being introduced to reduce health risks during the largest annual gathering of Muslims in the world.

- Travel is prohibited for individuals with vital organ failure such as heart, lung, liver, or kidney failure, severe neurological and psychiatric conditions, dementia in old age, high-risk pregnancies, active cancers undergoing therapy, and infectious diseases that pose a public health risk, such as active tuberculosis or hemorrhagic fevers.

Every traveler must obtain confirmation from their family doctor that they do not suffer from the aforementioned conditions. Travel is not possible without this confirmation, Hadžić explained.

This is an international standard that cannot be bypassed.

A few days ago, efendija Hadžić was a member of the delegation of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina at an international conference and Hajj exhibition in Jeddah, led by the Reis-ul-ulema Husein-ef. Kavazović.

On that occasion, a series of key contracts for the next year were signed, covering air transport with Flynas, accommodation arrangements in Mecca and Medina, mutawif services (local agency responsible for our pilgrims during their stay in Saudi Arabia), and the organization of stays in Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah.

Speaking about the organization of the Hajj, he emphasized that it began unusually early, given that the application call was issued at the beginning of August. The interest was significantly higher than the available quota.

- The Ministry of Hajj of Saudi Arabia initiated organizational processes very early this year, so the application call was issued at the beginning of August. By the end of the month, we had all the names and over a thousand people on the waiting list.

An important novelty is the restriction that no more than 7% of the total quota can be over 70 years old. This has caused difficulties, as 150 of those who were left out last year were over 70 years old.

The allowed limit is 154, so only four newly registered individuals could be accepted this year. There are already about 200 people over 70 years old on the waiting list, which means some of them will likely not be able to travel next year either due to Saudi Arabian regulations, Hadžić said.

The standard of services generally remains unchanged. Flynas remains the air carrier, and the same hotels in Mecca and Medina, as well as the same mutawif, have been retained.

- We have no reason to change suppliers who proved reliable and high-quality in the previous season, Hadžić said.

The cost of the Hajj pilgrimage this year is 14,250 KM. Hadžić also explained the process of forming the price, announced at the beginning of the month, stating that it depends solely on the suppliers.

- We cannot announce the price until we receive the final amounts for accommodation, transportation, and other services. If a supplier increases the price, the increase is reflected in the total Hajj cost in the same proportion. Inflation and rising market costs affect this, and we have to follow these trends, Hadžić stated.

He emphasized that pilgrims cannot have even an approximate price for this journey earlier.

- It's impossible. Until we finalize prices with each supplier individually, the price cannot be announced. If the hotel price is too high, we have to change the hotel or location, but we strive to stay within the framework of previous standards that pilgrims are accustomed to, Hadžić points out.

Regarding the technical aspects of the preparations, he stated that the procedure will follow the same dynamics as in previous years: dividing pilgrims into groups, assigning guides, the work of the medical team, and processing electronic visas. He particularly draws attention to the permit system introduced last year.

- Without a card with a QR code, one cannot enter the tawaf or Arafat today. The rule "La hadže bi la tasrihi" - no Hajj without a permit - remains in effect. This is how Saudi Arabia prevents the presence of illegal pilgrims, Hadžić concluded.

The first training sessions for pilgrims are expected in the second half of April or the beginning of May.

- The activity plan will be prepared immediately after Ramadan, and then we will announce the precise dates of the training sessions for each group, he stated.

Finally, he offered advice to pilgrims, especially those traveling for the first time.

- The most important thing is to follow the instructions of the Hajj management and their guides. All recommendations and instructions will be communicated to them in a timely manner. If they act according to the instructions, they will complete everything correctly and without difficulties, Hadžić concluded.