JEDDAH: The Haj Ministry has launched a new online electronic service as part of its efforts to provide a low-cost Haj for Saudis and expatriates.
The service was activated at 8 a.m. on Monday and it was apparently swamped by users that it was crashing. Some Arab News readers complained that it was very slow and others said they could not access the site, localhaj.haj.gov.sa.
The chairman of the local Haj committee, Saad Al-Qurashi, on Sunday told Arab News that the highest price for one person to perform Haj is SR14,000 ($3,733), and the lowest is SR3,500.
He said the service aims to facilitate booking procedures for locals and enable them to easily choose the service and price which is convenient for them.
On the site, users will find directions on how to register and pay.
The online service is scheduled to be the only way for citizens and expats to make arrangements for the pilgrimage this year. Local pilgrims will be safe from all fake campaigns, as the Haj website will specify the establishments licensed by the ministry to perform these services.
