Saudi Gazette

Jeddah — Online booking for low cost Haj has been proving to be a test of patience for intending domestic pilgrims.

Many people complained that they were unable to log on to the portal of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah to register for low cost Haj as the website was too slow.

The bookings were over within merely 24 hours after opening on Monday, according to sources.

A senior official from the Haj ministry told Saudi Gazette that the portal was experiencing huge traffic, but he declined to reveal any further details.

Attempts to contact the helpdesk through toll free number 8004304444 proved futile.

Low cost Haj is popular among expatriates because the rates range between SR3,500 and SR5,000 in this category.

Normal rates start from SR6,900.

The Haj and Umrah Ministry has banned marketing campaigns by private Haj operators.

All Haj operators are required to accept local pilgrims through the ministry’s web portal only.

Some 224 domestic Haj operators have been registered in the ministry’s portal this year.

Some 240,000 local pilgrims are expected to perform Haj this year.