The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has today released the first hajj accreditation list for the Islamic year 1438.

Speaking to VOC, SAHUCs Shaheen Essop says that the early release of the list will aid those hujaaj who have been selected to start making preparations.

“The early release of the accreditation process helps prospective Hujjaaj to adequately plan for their upcoming Hajj. It also allows applicants to decline accreditation and transfer their applications giving others in the queue an opportunity to be accredited.”

According to SAHUC, there has been a history of a high rate of cancellations results. Essop has said that those who are not ready for this year should transfer their application for the following year.

Hujaaj will be notified via sms about their accreditation for hajj for the year 1438.

“We have a quota of about 2000 that we will be notifying, but 1950 will be notified and the 50 will be kept back because as per the rules of the protocol between Saudi Arabia and South Africa we need to take from the hajj quota to provide hajj operators with assistance for them to take their pilgrims across to Saudi Arabia,” Essop added.

SAHUC has given those accredited till the 31^st January 2017 to accept or transfer their selection as failing to do so will result in a cancellation.

“We urge hujaaj who are not ready this year to transfer their selection so that it will give other people in the queue the chance to be accredited sooner rather than later,” he explained.

Essop has also encouraged people who have been accredited not to pay money to any operators as the hajj operators accreditation process is still underway.

“The Hajj Operator Accreditation process is set to be complete in the month of February, by which time prospective hujaaj can go and choose their operator of choice. We reiterate to those selected to not align yourself, link yourself or pay over any monies to any prospective hajj operators out there because there are no accredited hajj operators as yet,” Essop cautioned.

He has also urged prospect hujaaj who have concerns to contact their offices or to email info@sahuchajjregistry.org.za.

“We sincerely request accredited hujjaaj to act responsibly by abiding to the process and to contact any of our offices for any assistance,” he encouraged.

VOC (Najma Bibi Noor Mahomed)