Important: Regulations on Hajj accommodation for Hajj 1430 AH

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Hajj, Minister’s Office

Ministry of Hajj Services

No: 694944, Date: 28/12/1429 AH

Very Important Circular from

The Ministry of Hajj to All authorities concerned with Hajj Affairs in Countries

from which Pilgrims Arrive

May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.

Prompted by the desire to prepare and make ready the arrangements and requirements of the next Hajj Season 1430 AH., the Ministry is keen on briefing you in respect of all the new instructions, and any amendments affecting the regulations pertaining to Hajj affairs.

We would like to inform you of the issue of the approvals by all the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of the amendment to some provisions of the Bill of Implementation of the Accommodation Regulations pertaining to the housing of pilgrims, which are as follows:

1. The provisions of the Bill of Implementation pertaining to the accommodation prepared for the housing of pilgrims, shall apply to the residences licensed to accommodate pilgrims therein, including. charity endowments, as well as the residences of the Hajj missions and the approved external firms and agencies, that are rented for administrative and medical purposes.

2. The Lessee (Hajj mission, approved external firms or pilgrims’ representative) shall submit an unconditional bank guarantee from a bank that is accredited in the Kingdom, in the name of the Ministry of Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the rate of (50 Riyals per pilgrim) for the total number of his pilgrims. This should take place before starting the conclusion of agreements and the signing of contracts pertaining to the leasing of buildings. The Ministry of Hajj shall have the right to make disbursements from such guarantee in order to deal with any violations in the residence, when it is satisfied that the Lessee is responsible for the occurrence thereof. By way of exemplification, without limitation, “rejection of the residence, the use of unauthorized buildings, the amassment of pilgrims, the use of any part of the buildings for a purpose other than that designated therefor”; the whole or the remaining part of the guarantee shall not be reimbursed except after making sure of the absence of any violations, and the lessee shall remain liable to provide any additional sums in case the guarantee sum is not adequate to remedy the violation.

3.The Lessee (Hajj mission, approved external firms or pilgrims’ representative) shall be responsible for providing reserve buildings in addition to the actual need, to accommodate (1%) of the total number of his pilgrims, for use in emergencies that may occur during the Hajj season, where it would be necessary to evacuate the building for the safety and lives of the pilgrims, such as fire and cleavage. It shall also be necessary that the buildings leased for habitation should be licensed by the Committee in charge of the inspection of the pilgrims’ residences by virtue of valid licenses for the 1430 Hajj Season for the total number of pilgrims, and that the number of pilgrims in the residences shall not exceed the number authorized. It shall also be strictly forbidden to use the halls, kitchens, corridors and mezzanine floors, service floors, parking lots and roofs for any residential or storage purposes.

4. The pilgrims’ mission shall, without exception, pay the full rent when signing the contract between the landlord or the lessor and the pilgrim, or his representative, as much as possible, failing which, payment shall be in the following manner:

A. (30%) on signing the contract.

B. (40%) on the pilgrims’ arrival and their residing in the residence.

C. (30%), at least three days before the end of the term of the lease,

provided that the pilgrim or his representative shall provide the lessor with a bank guarantee equivalent to the abovementioned second and third payments under

(B, C) issued by a local bank.

The legalization and certification procedures shall not be completed in respect of any contract that violates the foregoing.

5. The Hajj mission shall, in case of leasing residences for its pilgrims outside the central area, and if far from the Holy Mosque by a distance of (2 or more kilometers), conclude a contract providing for the means of transport of its pilgrims from and to their residences to the Holy Mosque, in order to enable the pilgrims to perform prayers in the Holy Mosque.

We hope, after becoming aware of the foregoing, that the aforementioned be complied with as of the beginning of the Hajj season of 1430 AH. - God willing - and thank you for your good cooperation and interest in the welfare and comfort of the pilgrims of Allah’s Holy Mosque.