Hadj: the quota granted to private agencies is controversial

Published on 03.05.2023 at 12:48 by Journal du Mali

Feeling wronged in the distribution of the quota of Malian pilgrims, travel agencies grouped together in a collective of 57 members hosted a press conference on April 29. According to them, they must benefit from a minimum of 20 pilgrims and a maximum of 600 per travel agency, a minimum of 300 pilgrims and a maximum of 600 per agency or group of travel agencies. But according to the director general of the hajj house, the quota does not belong to the private sector but to the government, and the Saudi authorities do not recognize travel agencies. A national commission for the monitoring and evaluation of private agencies has been set up by the minister in charge of religious affairs. Composed of 13 members, it is this commission chaired by the director of the house of the hajj with his assistant in support which ensures the distribution of the quotas. According to Mahamane Adamou Cissé, deputy director general of the house of Hadj, the agencies which did not have a quota do not fulfill the conditions which go from the payment of taxes, or to the fact of having a seat. According to the deputy general manager, among those who formed the collective, some are persona non grata in Saudi Arabia. Hajj House officials say the commission is empowered to make changes in the distribution key. Mali will be able to send 13,323 pilgrims against 6,000 in 2022. Asked, the association of travel and tourism agencies did not wish to speak immediately.