Afghan and Saudi Officials Discuss Increasing Hajj Quotas for Afghanistan
The General Directorate of Hajj, Umrah, and Pilgrimage of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Guidance, Hajj, and Endowments, under the Taliban administration, announced that Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi, the head of this directorate, met and held talks with Abdul Fattah Mashat, the Assistant Minister for International Cooperation at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
During the meeting, both sides discussed increasing Afghanistan’s Hajj quota, raising the number of Umrah visas, and expanding facilities for Afghan pilgrims and Umrah performers. This matter holds special significance for thousands of Afghan residents who annually await the opportunity to perform the Hajj and Umrah rituals.
According to released information, the Saudi side committed to increasing the number of Umrah visas allocated to Afghanistan and assured the continuation of cooperation in the field of Hajj in the future.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, the management of Hajj and Umrah has faced challenges, including administrative and diplomatic restrictions. Increasing quotas and facilities could alleviate some of these problems for Afghan pilgrims.
