Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces online draw results for pilgrimage

Select individuals will receive text messages and then have 48 hours to pay and register

Muslim pilgrims arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia has welcomed its first batch of Hajj pilgrims from abroad since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted the authorities to impose restrictions. AFP

Muslim pilgrims arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. AFP

Muslim pilgrims arrive in Jeddah. AFP

Muslim pilgrims arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia. AFP

A pilgrim in Srinagar, Kashmir, is embraced by her relatives before leaving for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

Pilgrims prepare to leave for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Srinagar, Kashmir. AFP

Pilgrims prepare to leave for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Srinagar, Kashmir. AFP

Kashmiri Muslims wave towards Hajj pilgrims as they leave for the annual pilgrimage. EPA

Kashmiri Muslim pilgrims wave as they leave for the Hajj. EPA

A pilgrim Banda Aceh, Indonesia, registers for a vaccination required to undertake the Hajj. EPA

Indonesian pilgrims prepare to depart from Juanda International Airport in Surabaya. AFP

Indonesian pilgrims prepare to depart from Juanda International Airport in Surabaya. AFP

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.

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