Saudi Arabia Allocates 11,500 Hajj Places to Somalia for 2027

GOOBJOOG NEWS | JEDDAH: Somalia has secured a quota of 11,500 pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj after signing an agreement with Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for preparations for next year’s pilgrimage.

The agreement was signed in Jeddah by Somalia’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.

The annual agreement determines the number of Somali citizens permitted to travel to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to perform Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.

The signing took place during a visit by Robow and a Somali delegation to Saudi Arabia, where they attended the Hajj Forum and Hajj Services Exhibition, bringing together officials and representatives from Muslim-majority countries to discuss preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage.

The forum focuses on improving services for pilgrims, strengthening cooperation between participating countries and enhancing arrangements for the annual religious gathering, which draws millions of Muslims from around the world.

The Somali delegation included the country’s consul-general in Jeddah, Abdiwali, the ministry’s Director-General, Dr Abdinafi, and the chairman of Somalia’s Hajj Services Office.

The allocation provides the basis for Somalia to begin planning the selection of pilgrims and coordinating travel, accommodation, transport and other services required for the 2027 Hajj.

The pilgrimage is expected to take place in the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah 1448, corresponding to 2027 in the Gregorian calendar.