Economic Challenges Pose Obstacles for Pilgrims in This Year’s Hajj

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Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the largest Hajj pilgrimage in three years has been overshadowed by global inflation and economic crises, making it increasingly difficult for many pilgrims to undertake Islam’s significant spiritual journey.

One Egyptian university professor, Mohammed, who regularly applied to participate in the Hajj, had to forgo the pilgrimage this time due to the soaring costs. Mohammed explained that while sacrifices were usually made to afford the trip, the increased price of the Hajj package, coupled with recent major family expenses, made it financially unattainable. He preferred to withhold his surname, fearing repercussions related to Egypt’s economic challenges, a sensitive topic in the country.

The surge in global inflation has dramatically driven up prices for the Hajj, encompassing expenses for airlines, transportation, food, and accommodations in and around the holy city of Mecca. Adding to the burden, several countries, including those with substantial Muslim populations, are grappling with economic crises, experiencing significant devaluations of their national currencies.

Given the exorbitant costs, some countries struggled to meet their quota of pilgrims this year, a surprising development considering that demand for pilgrimage spots typically surpasses supply by a considerable margin.

To regulate the number of participants and ensure fairness, Saudi Arabia allocates a specific number of slots to each country, generally around one-tenth of a percent of the country’s Muslim population. In 2020 and 2021, Saudi Arabia barred foreign pilgrims due to the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly reducing the numbers last year. However, this year, most quotas have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Although Egyptian authorities have not disclosed the total number of Egyptian pilgrims this year, it appears to be lower than the nearly 80,000 participants in 2019 and preceding years. According to officials quoted in local media, EgyptAir, the primary carrier, was accommodating 35,000-45,000 Egyptian pilgrims, while approximately 4,000 individuals traveled by land, as reported by state media. AP’s requests for official figures on the number of pilgrims have gone unanswered.

Egypt is facing mounting economic issues, including a staggering inflation rate of 40%. The government has repeatedly devalued the currency and is actively striving to preserve its dwindling foreign currency reserves amidst escalating debt. Since the last pilgrimage, the Egyptian pound has experienced a 40% depreciation against the Saudi riyal.

Similar to many other countries, Egypt distributes a portion of its quota through private companies for sale, while the government organizes lower-cost trips via a lottery system.

One of the more affordable Hajj packages, offered by the Interior Ministry, now costs 175,000 Egyptian pounds, approximately $5,663, according to state media. In comparison, last year’s package was priced at 90,000 pounds, equivalent to roughly $4,770 at that time. In dollar terms, this reflects a 20% increase, while the price has nearly doubled when denominated in pounds.

A Cairo-based travel agency manager disclosed that he organized 100 Hajj trips last year, whereas this year, only 40 inquiries have been made, illustrating the decline in interest. Due to banking restrictions on foreign cash withdrawals, organizers and pilgrims also face challenges in booking flights with international airlines, as most require payments in dollars. Furthermore, individuals are subject to limitations on cash withdrawals while staying in Mecca, hindering their access to funds.

Nadia Awaad, a pilgrim, cited financial constraints as the reason for taking the lengthier, but more affordable, land route to Mecca, as air travel was beyond her means. She stated, “Even if it includes more effort, that’s not a problem,” expressing her determination to fulfill the pilgrimage.

Pakistan failed to reach its Hajj quota this year due to mounting inflation and a devalued currency. Abdul Majid, a government employee, abandoned his plans for Hajj, citing an insurmountable gap between his savings and the rising costs. Initially set at 1.175 million rupees, the price for a government-run trip in Pakistan saw a 69% increase compared to last year. However, authorities subsequently reduced the cost slightly by finding more affordable accommodation deals in Mecca. Private tour companies managed to fill half of Pakistan’s total of 179,000 pilgrimage slots, while applications for government-run slots fell short. Consequently, Pakistan had to return 7,000 unused slots to Saudi Arabia, an unprecedented move.

Conversely, some countries face the opposite problem, with a backlog of individuals eager to undertake the Hajj due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic in the past three years. Indonesia received an additional 8,000 Hajj slots from Saudi Arabia this year, reaching a total of 229,000, which were promptly filled. Wait times for Indonesians to embark on the Hajj can extend beyond a decade. Malaysia sought an extra 10,000 slots in addition to its quota of 31,600, although confirmation of Saudi Arabia’s decision is still pending.

India, with a Muslim population accounting for 14% of its 1.4 billion people, reduced the cost of state-organized Hajj packages by approximately $606, effectively providing a subsidy. India is sending its full contingent of over 175,000 pilgrims. However, the expenses still had an impact, as private tour operators noted a decline in the number of people seeking to participate compared to pre-pandemic years.

Nigeria, home to one of the largest Muslim populations globally, managed to fill its quota of 95,000 pilgrims at the last minute after many states extended payment deadlines. Authorities attributed the achievement to individuals who had delayed their pilgrimage plans due to the pandemic, compensating for the higher costs.

Adamu Yusuf, a seasoned pilgrim from Nigeria, expressed the unwavering commitment of Nigerians to fulfill the Hajj, affirming that even if the cost reached 10 million naira ($21,630), people would still undertake the journey.

Big Big News reporters Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi and Chinedu Asadu in Lagos, Nigeria, contributed to this report.

The Big Big News religion coverage is supported through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for the content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hajj pilgrimage

More about Hajj pilgrimage

• Saudi Arabia: Inflation, economic crises strain Hajj pilgrims
• COVID-19 impact on Hajj pilgrimage
• Egypt’s economic challenges and decline in Hajj participation
• Pakistan’s economic difficulties and lower Hajj participation
• Indonesia’s high demand for Hajj pilgrimage
• India’s initiatives to alleviate Hajj pilgrimage costs
• Nigeria’s Hajj participation amid economic challenges