Saudi Authorities Lifts Algerian Pilgrims' Quota To 36.000

Saudi authorities lifted the quota of Algerian pilgrims for this year’s season to 36 thousand pilgrims instead of 28 thousand last year, a number that was reduced four years ago by the Saudi authorities because of the beginning of the works in the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

Sources from the Office of Hajj and Umrah, told Echorouk, that there is a possibility of raising the cost of the pilgrimage this year, due to the rising demand for services with the lifting of the number of pilgrims, which would raise the cost of which reached last year over 49 million centimes, and even more.

Joint Ministerial Council that was held on Thursday, concluded the final report of the Hajj season of 2016 by including observations of the Hajj and Umrah mission for this year, which contained important decision, mainly through encourage tourist agencies that were successful in organizing the pilgrimage process decisions, and to emphasize the importance of continuing the process of modernization and early preparation for the start of 2017 season.

Regarding the lifting of Algerian pilgrims’ quota, the same source confirmed that the office services will study the Saudi decision and will take all the actions. 

Previously, Saudi authorities announced that it will lift the quota of pilgrims starting from the next pilgrimage season, and this after four consecutive years of reducing number of pilgrims in Algeria and abroad.