The major increase in Hajj costs is rooted in rising service rates in Saudi Arabia and the currency

As reported by Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Information Base, Supreme Leader’s representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs and Head of the Iranian pilgrims Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Abdolfattah Navvab  was the guest of IRINN "First queue" program on Thursday in Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab at the beginning of his speech while congratulating Hajj week and decade of dignity, commemorated the anniversary of Imam Khomeini (RA) deathand the martyrs of 15th Khordad. He also commemorated more than 250 clerics, pilgrims, servants and admirers of caravans who died during the Corona pandemic and said: the late Ayatollah Reyashahri was also among the greats of Hajj that we lost him in these months. Imam's speeches was always instructive. In particular, with his guidance and Supreme Leader, a change took place in Supreme Leader Delegation Office; the policies pursued during the time of late Ayatollah Reyashahri and later during the time of Hojjat al-Islam Qazi Askar, the situation of Hajj clerics changed greatly.

Referring to his years of presence in Saudi Arabia and familiarity with Hajj and Umrah programs in other countries, he said: "With my knowledge of clerics and educational programs in Iran, I must say that the most virtuous and knowledgeable clerics and managers and servants of Hajj belong to Islamic Republic of Iran. In some other countries, quotas are set for imams, and after two weeks of training, they become Hajj clerics. But the process in Iran includes entrance exams for educated clerics, conducting interviews, presenting lecture tapes, inquiring, and finally attending training classes so that they can be assigned to Hajj assistant after the Umrah clergy courses. Thank God we have good policies on clerical internships.

Referring to the delay in the official announcement of the Hajj by Saudi Arabia, Supreme Leader’s representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs said: Usually, when the pilgrims have not yet left Saudi Arabia completely, negotiations and next year housing contracts are signed for many hotels. Some agent check the situation during Umrah, during the following months, the registration process will take place until the month of Rajab, and ten training sessions will be held for the pilgrims of Medina before and 12 sessions for the pilgrims of Medina after. But this year, after all these opportunities and even the first of the holy month of Ramadan, Saudi Arabia announced in the third decade that job opportunities were taken away from us. After the announcement, the registration was done according to the conditions they announced.

Despite this limited opportunity, 564 sessions of teaching rules,‌ rituals, history and manners, ‌ words, beliefs and lifestyle have been held, he added.

Noting that Saudi Arabia has announced a quota of 45% for countries, Hojjat al-Islam Navvab said: for this reason, more than 39,000 pilgrims and agents from the Islamic Republic of Iran will participate in this year's Hajj.

In response to the question whether the vaccines of pilgrims in Iran have been accepted by Saudi Arabia, he said: Saudi Arabia accepts Sinopharm and Astrazeneca vaccines. Most of our pilgrims have inject Sinopharm vaccine, but a number of pilgrims were scheduled to inject the final dose of Sinopharm vaccine and they must bring the vaccine card.

Regarding the security of the pilgrims, he clarified: with regard to some past events, such as the tragic event of Mena, holding Hajj every year has not been without events, and unwanted and unpredictable problems may occur. However, in order to prevent any events, 6 places have been considered in the pilgrims' routes, in which the representatives of Hajj and Pilgrimage in the unexpected events section are present, so that in case of any problem, they can immediately inform and take the necessary measures.

In response to the question of whether the necessary measures for accommodation, nutrition and medical teams have been taken, considering the delay of Saudi Arabia in announcing the Hajj? Hojjat al-Islam Navvab said: Hajj has a specific routine and process, and all those who work in this field can organize the necessary measures in the shortest possible time.

Stating that we hear surprising news about the talks in Saudi Arabia, which some say is influenced by the events in Russia and Ukraine, he said: Pilgrims usually talked about relative price stability in Saudi Arabia, but now some of Saudi Arabia's biggest businessmen say that our announced price is valid for one week. however previously a contract was written from the beginning to the end of Hajj. Now, for example, we are seeing a 40% increase in the cost of buses and a high increase in the price of services in Masha’er. Pilgrim services have increased from about 1400 Rials to 6111 Rials.

He added VAT has also risen from 3 to 15 percent and has made goods more expensive in Saudi Arabia itself, as some African countries have said that rising prices have led to the cancellation of pilgrims trip.

In response to the question that considering increase prices up to three times, what measures do you have? he said: this issue is not specific to Iran, but when pilgrims open accounts in banks for Hajj, the necessary assistance should be provided for them. The Islamic Republic has always paid attention to the people. Hajj and pilgrimage organization take a part from the pilgrims, pay a part themselves and another part is discounted.

In response to the question whether enrollment for the coming years will start this year? Hojjat al-Islam Navvab stated: a plan must be devised for more than one million pilgrims in line. At a times relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia were favorable, in some occasion 100,000 pilgrims were sent, and it was thought that the queue would be completed. However, the issue of Mena tragedy and corona pandemic led to the closure of the Hajj, and now it has started with 45%.

Head of the Iranian pilgrims, in response to the moderators' question about the reasons of high cost of Hajj al-Tama, Umrah and Atabat-e-Aliyat, stated: global developments and conflicts in the region, the increase in commodity prices and what Saudi Arabia receives as services or insurance, etc. are very effective in making Hajj more expensive.

He went on to provide statistics on the increase in currency prices and said: "The cost of our Hajj in 1390 was more than 40 million rials and in 91 has increased by about 17 percent." In 92, it suddenly increased by 104%, which was rooted in the increase of the currency. In 93, we had no change, in 94 we had a 4% increase, in 96 we had a 36% increase, in 97 we had a 19% increase and in 98 we had a 55% increase. In 99, we did not enjoy Hajj, and this year we had an increase in Rials and foreign exchange compared to the previous Hajj, but the increase in Hajj costs was more due to exchange rate fluctuations than the recent shocks made by Saudi Arabia and its negative effects will appear in the coming years.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab added: Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and Supreme Leader Delegation Office are trying to perform a dignified Hajj with a reduction in costs.

About the relations between the Iran and Saudi Arabia hajj and pilgrimage officials, he said: the counterpart of the Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage corresponds with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj but due to the cold relations, it is difficult.

Regarding the necessary measures for Arbaeen, Hojjat al-Islam Navvab said: the Iraqi government is serving and has security considerations, with large divisions and several security rings to ensure the security of the pilgrims. In Iran, about 40 committees are following up on issues; because this national work is beyond the capacities of an organization and requires the presence of the Ministry of Interior and the provision of transport infrastructure and border services from various organizations.

In response to the mission of Supreme Council of Pilgrimage, he said: this council is final coordinator for necessary policy making in pilgrimage and pilgrims from other countries come to Iran to be organized.In Qom, many people now come to visit Hazrat Masoumeh (PBUH) in decade of dignity. We have pilgrims from forty countries to Mashhad al-Reza (AS) that the Supreme Council of Pilgrimage organizes these matters.

Regarding the cancellation of visas between Iran and Iraq, especially in land travel, Supreme Leader’s representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs said: Iraq wants to provide services to pilgrims, but due to restrictions, they have not been able to cancel land travel visas so far. I suggest that this work be organized in an organization and for example for a thousand people a day. Naturally, a large number of people will have this opportunity in a few years.

At the end, in response to the question whether measures have been considered for land travel from the border of Shalamcheh to Syria, he said: the wish of all Muslims is that the land borders should not have restrictions for Muslims. We must be vigilant and join hands to thwart the growing plans of  the enemies of Islamic Front. The realization of this issue is not far away.