On Monday, the Libyan General Authority for Hajj and Umrah Affairs signed an agreement with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj to make arrangements for the 2023 season.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Sabri Al Buaishi, Deputy Head of the General Authority for Hajj and Umrah Affairs, and Dr. Abdel Fattah Mashat, Deputy Minister of Hajj.
The agreement came on the sidelines of the General Authority’s participation in the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, sponsored by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj.
The authority indicated that a meeting will be held between Al Buaishi and the Saudi Minister of Hajj to strengthen bilateral relations, and ensure the provision of the best services to Libyan pilgrims.
Last year, the General Authority formed a committee to follow up on the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to organise the 2022 Hajj season.
In a statement, it noted that last year’s Hajj season was exceptional, given the closures after the COVID-19 pandemic. It added that Libya’s share of pilgrims was set at 3,531.
The Saudi authorities also stipulated that pilgrims should not exceed 65 years of age. This meant that it was not possible to send the full number, chosen by lottery for 2020 and 2021.
The Saudi authorities attributed this to the measures announced by the Ministry of Hajj. The foremost of which is allowing one million pilgrims across the Islamic world to perform Hajj this year.
Moreover, the Ministry added that participants from abroad will be allowed, but must introduce a recent negative PCR test, affirming that health precautions will be observed.