On August 8, 2018, a meeting was held on the organization of the departure of Kazakhstani pilgrims for Hajj to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chaired by the Minister of Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Darkhan Kaletayev.

It was attended by the heads of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, interested state bodies and representatives of Scat and Fly Nas airlines.

During the meeting, the procedure for the arrival and departure of citizens of Kazakhstan during the Hajj was approved, issues of airline readiness for the transport of pilgrims were discussed, including ensuring the timely flight of aircraft, as well as the mandatory procedure for vaccination, and visas.

Darkhan Kaletayev focused on the need to take appropriate measures to organize the protection of interests and security of Kazakhstani citizens and create optimal conditions for pilgrims during the Hajj.

The SAMK annually concludes an agreement with the Ministry of Hajj of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the basis of which quotas are allocated. This year, a quota for 3 thousand people has been allocated.

According to the Minister, to ensure control and organization of the pilgrimage, the Ministry jointly with the SAMK created a hajj mission, which consists of 14 people: 7 representatives of the SAMK, 3 media representatives, 2 medical officers of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and 2 representatives of the Ministry of Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

According to the SAMK, all pilgrims are distributed between 18 Kazakhstan travel companies involved in the organization of the Hajj.

Flights will be operated by Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia airlines in a 50/50 share. The “Fly Nas” airline has been identified by the Saudi side to organize the flight of Kazakh citizens to the Hajj. Since last year, with the assistance of the Ministry of Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, SCAT Airlines has been providing pilgrim transportation services.

Kazakh pilgrims will arrive in Saudi Arabia during the period of August 9-15, and will return home by September 1.

At the meeting, special attention was paid to vaccination of Kazakhstani pilgrims. This year, vaccination is carried out in 5 cities of Kazakhstan in 8 medical centers simultaneously. The cost of the vaccine for pilgrims is 28 thousand tenge.

In 2017, the Ministry of Social Development introduced the Rules for the implementation of tour operator activities in the field of religious tourism.

The rules provide regulation of the process of organizing the travel of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan for pilgrimage. The introduction of this legal act is designed to protect citizens of Kazakhstan from the possible imposition of a destructive religious ideology during their stay on pilgrimage.

Following the meeting, the responsible authorities were given recommendations on taking measures to address all organizational issues of the pilgrimage trip to the Hajj.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/din/press/news/details/10641?lang=kk