Update on Haj and Umrah pilgrimage travel

Response to parliamentary question on Haj and Umrah pilgrimage and safeguards to protect consumers of pilgrimage services

Question

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) whether he can provide an update on travel conditions and quota allocations for Singaporeans to perform the Haj or Umrah pilgrimage this year; and (b) whether there is any safeguard to protect consumers and ensure that travel agencies offering pilgrimage services in Singapore do not collect deposits or excessive payments given the current situation.

Response

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs & Minister for Social and Family Development:

Update on Haj and Umrah pilgrimage travel

1. As of 10 May 2021, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has yet to announce the arrangements for Haj 2021. It is unclear whether the Haj pilgrimage will be opened to Singaporeans and other international pilgrims.
2. Should Haj be allowed for international pilgrims, Muis, in consultation with MOH, will assess the public health risks of sending a delegation for Haj this year. Given the ongoing challenge of bringing the pandemic under control globally, public health must be a priority.
   
   Safeguards to protect consumers of pilgrimage services
3. Muis has instituted measures to mitigate the financial risks for pilgrims. These include requiring Haj General Service Agents (GSA) to provide bankers’ guarantee to safeguard pilgrim deposits and mandating a progressive payment schedule, instead of a lump sum collection by the Haj GSAs.
4. In special circumstances such as the deferment of Haj last year, Muis worked closely with Association of Muslim Travel Agents Singapore (AMTAS) and the GSAs to recover most of the deposits paid by the pilgrims for the travel. The deposits collected by the GSAs was necessary to reserve airline tickets and accommodation, which was originally intended to be brought forward for Haj 2021. Muis is working with the GSAs to provide refunds to pilgrims who made payments for Haj 2020, subject to some administration fees. Muis will provide further updates to pilgrims in due course.