The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Wednesday announced the results of an online draw that will allow a limited number of pilgrims from within the kingdom to perform Hajj.
The Ministry said more than 297,444 applications have been submitted in the electronic draw for citizens and residents within the kingdom for the upcoming Hajj season, “of which 62 per cent are for males and 38 per cent are females,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In a statement issued today, the ministry said the total number of applications exceeded 217,000 through the "Etmarna" application and the electronic portal for domestic pilgrims.
The Ministry said an SMS will be sent to those who qualified today, and they will be given 48 hours to make the payment to complete their Hajj registration.
Those who were not selected via the electronic lottery will have a chance in the next count when alternative or additional places become available.
Hajj authorities opened registrations for domestic pilgrims this month as the kingdom lifted restrictions on participation that were imposed in the past two years in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said the priority was given to candidates who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus and have never performed Hajj.
Makkah from above - in pictures
GIANT REVIEW
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Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
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Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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- Financial well-being incentives
