Social Solidarity Minister Nivine Kabbag announced applications for this year’s hajj for NGOs will start as of Sunday and last until May 12, according to a statement by the ministry Thursday.

Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Kabbag added the ministry set some conditions for applicants who want to perform hajj pilgrimage 2022.

To register for hajj, applicants must acknowledge that they have not performed the pilgrimage before, according to her.

Kabbag had said earlier the number of hajj visas for NGOs went down from 12,000 to 3,100 ones this year after Saudi Arabia decreased the number of pilgrims to limit Covid-19 outbreak.

She said the Social Solidarity Ministry currently considers the latest changes to Hajj prices, noting that a pilgrim shall bear a cost ranging between EGP110,000 and EGP150,000.

Citizens can apply for visas electronically after setting the final cost, the minister said, adding that the ministry is keen to provide best services for all pilgrims.

Source: State Information Service Egypt