SUPKEM Unveils HAJJ 2023 Preparations
Kenyan Muslims will participate in this year’s Hajj with the first group of pilgrims scheduled to leave the Country on June 14th, 2023 and the last flight shall be on June 22, 2023. These will join the over four million other pilgrims that are expected to perform their pilgrimage.
Hassan Ole Naado the National Chairman of SUPKEM alludes:
“We take this opportunity as the Kenya Hajj Mission under the auspices of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims to appreciate the great efforts made by all the players in [he Haj ecosystem to ensure that this year’s Haji will be as successful as those preceding it.
Specifically we thank the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its embassy in Nairobi and the Ministry of HaJj and Umra Affairs for having lifted the COVID-19 related restrictions that resulted to Muslims of above the age of 65 years to miss on last year’s Haji- This was in recognition of the great progress made in mitigating the risk of its transmission in our Country and in the World in general,
We also acknowledge and appreciate the quota of 6,000 pilgrims that the Ministry expects from Kenya and the Kenya Hajj Mission is actively working with the Hajj agents to ensure that this quota is attained. However, due to difficult econom_ic situation in the country, we expect close to 4000 Kenyans to
travel this year.
We are however concerned with the decision that legitimate foreign passport holders residing and working in the Republic of Kenya with valid documents are ineligible to perform Hajj from Kenyan territory, This is quite a big challenge especially for diplomats and foreigners- legitimately residing in Kenya. Some have their Kenyan family members who would want to perform Hajj together.
Historically, the Ministry of Hajj and Unnra Affairs have always allocated between 396-5% of the total quota for Kenya reserved for holders Of foreign passports legally residing or working in Kenya. Sadly, this tradition has been changed this year causing lots of pain and inconveniences to many able Muslims who consider Kenya as their second home and some with roots locally.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs have made several appeals on this matter- we hope and pray that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shall positively respond to the request made through diplomatic channels.
On Kenyans who are preparing for Hajj this year, we have noted with concern the slow pace on issuance Of passports. We appreciate the working mechanisms we had developed with the Ministry of Interior through the Directorate of Immigration Services that include a special window for Hajj on e-Citizen and the Hajj desk at the immigration office at Nyayo house; we however appeal far speedy issuance of the remaining passports. Kenyans planning to travel for hajj this year have only week to finalize all the remaining processes including payments of the required fees and the passport is at the centre of it.
In order for Kenyan Muslims to perform their pilgrimage smoothly the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims is urging everyone to strictly adhere to the guidelines set out by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and not take short cuts. We wish to remind you that Hajj being a journey of faith cannot commence on a faulty step and yet be valid in the eyes of Allah _subhannahu wa taalae_
Specifically, the Pilgrims Will be to complete basic immunizations for Yellow Fever, Neisseria Meningitis, Seasonal Flu as well as Corona Virus vaccines as approved by the Ministry of Health.
Lastly, we urge all accredited Hajj agents to follow the policies and guidelines set by the Ministry of Hajj and Umra Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as the administrative protocols Set by the Kenya Haj Mission in preparation of this year’s Haji and nat resort to social media advocacy that confuses pilgrims.
These administrative measures undertaken by the mission include the blacklisting of some agents vvho have been spreading misinformation across the board while others have even conned pilgrims of their hard earned resources meant for the solemn intention to perform Hajj.
As a mission it will always be our sincere desire and unwavering commitment to facilitate a smooth process that will give Kenyan pilgrims a wonderfui experience in the performance Of their religious obligations.”
Post Author
