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PM appeals to Saudis for increase in Haj quota from 680 to 800

SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is appealing to Saudi Arabia to increase the Republic’s annual Haj quota to 800 from the current 680 spots, as well as for an additional 200 places this year, which would allow 1,000 people to undertake the pilgrimage.

Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy site of Mecca on Sept 23,2015. Photo: Reuters

Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy site of Mecca on Sept 23,2015. Photo: Reuters

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SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is appealing to Saudi Arabia to increase the Republic’s annual Haj quota to 800 from the current 680 spots, as well as for an additional 200 places this year, which would allow 1,000 people to undertake the pilgrimage.

In a letter addressed to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman — which was presented today (Feb 11) by Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Yaacob Ibrahim, to Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Haj, Dr Bandar Mohammed Hajjar, in Jeddah — Mr Lee explained that Singapore is seeking a revision because the Republic’s Muslim population has grown.

“These additional places will be welcomed and deeply appreciated by the Singapore Muslim community,” Mr Lee wrote.

Singapore’s current Haj quota is based on a 1987 formula by the Organisation of Islamic Conference, which set it at 0.1 per cent of the Muslim population here. Since then, the Muslim community has grown by about 20 per cent, but the quota has remained unchanged. Currently, there are about 800,000 Muslims in Singapore.

In response to media queries, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said that the number of people on the waiting list in Singapore to perform the pilgrimage now stands at 21,000.

“Singapore has shared our concerns with the Saudi authorities. We understand that the (infrastructure) upgrading process (in Saudi Arabia) is ongoing, and that the safety and security of pilgrims are of utmost importance, but we are hopeful that the Saudi government will consider our appeals favourably and that more Singaporean Muslims will be able to perform the Haj once the redevelopment works are completed,” MUIS said.

Dr Yaacob, who is also the Communications and Information Minister, is leading the Singapore delegation at the annual Haj Ministerial Meeting. In a Facebook post this evening, Dr Yaacob said he assured Dr Bandar that Singapore is willing to comply with all the requirements for the additional pilgrims.

“In view of Singapore’s increased Muslim populace, the additional number of places would greatly help to meet the demand and aspirations of Singaporean Muslims in fulfilling our religious obligation,” he said.

Hari Raya Haji will be celebrated on Sept 12 in Singapore this year, and pilgrims tend to leave for the Haj about a month before in order to perform the necessary rituals in Mecca.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ASYRAF KAMIL

Clarification: An earlier version of this report said Dr Yaacob presented the letter to Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Haj, Dr Bandar Mohammed Hajjar in Mecca. This is incorrect. The authorities have clarified that the letter was presented in Jeddah.

 

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