A price too high: Economic realities crush Hajj dreams
Hajj, a profoundly sacred time for Muslims across the globe, bears immense significance as devout believers undertake the revered pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca. But Pakistan, currently grappling with an economic meltdown, has experienced detrimental repercussions of this financial crisis on the revered tradition. The costs associated with performing Hajj have skyrocketed, giving rise to distress and dismay among aspiring pilgrims.
In 2018, the cost of performing Hajj stood at 270,000 Pakistani rupees, but this year, it has spiralled to a staggering 1,165,000 rupees. This substantial increase has placed an immense burden on the faithful who aspired to fulfill their religious duty.
Throughout Pakistan’s history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has consistently assigned a designated quota to each country for Hajj pilgrims. The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Government of Pakistan, regularly announces the commencement of application submissions, followed by a balloting process to determine the fortunate individuals who will have the privilege of undertaking this sacred pilgrimage. However, it is a recurring trend that the number of applications received surpasses the allocated quota, underscoring the tremendous demand for this profound spiritual endeavour.
Ironically, the economic hardships confronted by the country this year have inadvertently led to a decline in the number of applications, giving rise to an unforeseen situation where the allocated quota remains unfulfilled. The adverse economic climate, characterised by escalating costs and inflation, has dissuaded numerous prospective pilgrims from submitting their applications. Consequently, the pilgrimage to Mecca, an experience cherished by Muslims worldwide, has been overshadowed by the financial challenges encountered in Pakistan.
Sponsorship Hajj Scheme
In response to the persistent inflation and economic challenges, the government introduced the Sponsorship Hajj Scheme this year with the expectation of generating a remittance of approximately USD194 million. However, due to certain restrictions and a lack of clear instructions, the response to the scheme fell significantly short of expectations. Out of the allocated quota of over 88,000 pilgrims, only a mere 8,000 individuals submitted their applications for the scheme.
Under the Sponsorship Hajj Scheme, the government made an unprecedented decision to forgo the traditional balloting process. Instead, all individuals who submitted their applications were guaranteed a spot in the scheme. This innovative approach aimed to ensure that anyone interested in availing the opportunity to perform Hajj through the sponsored programme would be able to do so.
However, the limited number of applications received reflected the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the scheme’s implementation. Nevertheless, the limited number of applications received for the scheme highlights such as unclear guidelines, potential constraints on travel, and general uncertainty may have deterred many individuals from participating in the scheme. The lack of clear instructions may have caused confusion and raised concerns among those considering the sponsorship option.
As the government’s efforts to facilitate a larger number of pilgrims through the Sponsorship Hajj Scheme failed to generate the anticipated remittance, the economic hardships afffected the willingness and ability of individuals to participate in this sacred journey.
“We introduced the Dollar Scheme this year, taking into account the country’s financial situation,” said Muhammad Umar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MORA and IH), in an interview with The Express Tribune. “Since the amount is collected in rupees and payments to Saudi Arabia are made in dollars, we decided to launch the dollar scheme to prevent burdening the national exchequer.”
The hike
Despite meticulous planning, the prevailing circumstances did not align favourably, leading to a significant portion of applicants opting for the PKR scheme. Shahzad Habib, a small clothing business owner in Saddar, had nurtured aspirations of embarking on the Hajj pilgrimage for the past four years. However, in 2020, the outbreak of the pandemic prevented him from submitting his application, and the following year, his plans were deferred due to his wife’s pregnancy.
Since January, Habib and countless others like him have received disheartening updates regarding the anticipated cost of Hajj. The prospects of fulfilling their long-awaited dream were overshadowed by the daunting reality that the per-head expense for Hajj would exceed Rs 1million. With the ever-increasing inflation and the overall economic situation in the country, the dream of performing Hajj seemed increasingly unattainable for individuals such as Habib, who belong to the middle class.
“In 2020, despite having the necessary funds, the unfortunate circumstances of the pandemic prevented me from applying,” shares Habib. “Last year, my wife was expecting, so we decided to postpone our plans for this year. However, since January, we have been receiving information indicating that the cost of Hajj would exceed Rs 1million per person. Given the prevailing inflation and the country’s economic situation, the realisation of our Hajj dream now appears to be a distant and unattainable.”
Habib had cherished the vision of embarking on the sacred pilgrimage alongside his wife and mother. However, the surge in charges from approximately Rs800,000 to around Rs1.2 million inflicted an overwhelming financial burden on individuals from the middle class, shattering their hopes and leaving them disheartened and uncertain about the realisation of their aspirations.
Their plight echoes the experiences of countless individuals who diligently saved money over several years, only to witness a tremendous increase in Hajj expenses with each passing year. Mukarram Ali, who had hoped to embark on the pilgrimage with his wife, vividly recalled the significant disparity in costs.
“In 2018, the amount stood at a modest Rs270,000 per person, but this year, when applying through the sponsorship scheme, it became Rs1,230,000,” he laments. The sponsorship scheme required applicants to submit their fees in dollars as remittance, prompting Mukarram to arrange funds from his brother in Egypt.
Umar, the MORA and IH spokesperson acknowledged that the overall cost of Hajj has decreased this year, but the increase in the dollar exchange rate has resulted in higher expenses for Pakistani pilgrims.
“Last year, the cost of Hajj exceeded USD 4,500, but the lower dollar rate made it less expensive for Pakistani pilgrims,” he says. “This year, the cost is below USD 4,000, excluding the amount for animal sacrifice, which is Rs57,000. So, if you consider the cost in dollars, it is lower than the previous year. However, due to the higher exchange rate, the cost in rupees has increased.”
Fear of missing out
Opting for the sponsorship scheme was driven by Mukarram’s fear of missing out on the opportunity to perform Hajj this year. The government’s assurance that all applicants who submitted fees in USD would be guaranteed a spot for Hajj, without the need for balloting, provided a glimmer of hope. However, the exorbitant amount demanded by the scheme deterred a majority of individuals from submitting their applications. Consequently, the allocated quota had to be returned to the Saudi government, highlighting the financial strain experienced by prospective pilgrims.
The Hajj fee of USD4,285, which was submitted separately, constituted only a portion of the total expenses. Each pilgrim also had to carry an additional amount of 2,000-2,500 riyals, equivalent to approximately Rs200,000, to cover miscellaneous expenses. “The per head amount we are discussing is Rs1.5 million, and spending such a substantial sum in this era of economic crisis is an immense burden for an individual,” Ali shares, expressing the sentiment shared by many. Spending a substantial amount in the current socio-economic climate has become an arduous feat for individuals striving to fulfill religious obligations.
The stories of Habib, Ali, and of numerous others are poignant testaments to the hurdles faced by aspirants who diligently save and yearn to embark on the sacred pilgrimage.
What led to the hike?
Several factors have contributed to the increase in Hajj expenses over the past five years, including fluctuations in exchange rates that affect the cost of travel, accommodation, and other Hajj-related expenses. Fuel costs, demand, and various other elements also influence the price of air travel and local transportation. In the past 12 years, Danish Zaheer has thrice participated in Hajj through the government scheme.
“On average, the round-trip tickets we receive cost around Rs270,000,” he explains. “Additionally, the Hajj visa incurs significant expenses. Considering that accommodation, transportation to the holy mosque, three meals a day, and other essential facilities are provided by the government, the amount seems justified.”
The increment in the government-allocated amount depends on factors such as availability, location and the standard of facilities, including the cost of hotels in Makkah and Madinah where pilgrims stay during Hajj. Zaheer emphasised that the prices of goods and services provided during Hajj, such as lodging, food, transportation between sacred sites, and medical care, also contribute to the overall costs. Fluctuations in governmental policies, visa fees, and other formalities may cause variations in the price of Hajj. Nonetheless, he appreciated the commendable arrangements made by the Pakistani government.
While the increase in costs may pose challenges for individuals, the government’s diligent efforts to provide comprehensive services, including accommodation and facilities, demonstrate their commitment to ensuring a comfortable and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience and reflect the value and benefits of the government-sponsored Hajj programme.
Unfilled quota
In an unprecedented turn of events, the Hajj quota remained unfilled and had to be returned to the Saudi Government. However, our government responded proactively by introducing a hardship quota, providing an opportunity for individuals who missed the initial application deadline. Those who were unable to submit their applications on time or lacked sufficient funds during the announcement in March were encouraged to apply until June 15 under the hardship quota, ensuring they would still have a chance to participate in the sacred pilgrimage.
Mohsin Hameed, 32, eagerly awaiting his Hajj journey, used the hardship quota to apply for Hajj. “Initially, I submitted applications for myself and my wife as I didn’t have enough funds to include my parents,” he shares. “In April, I managed to gather sufficient money to bring my parents along. The hardship quota proved to be a blessing for me, allowing me to submit their applications.”
The introduction of the hardship quota offered a ray of hope for those who encountered obstacles in meeting the initial requirements. It allowed individuals like Mohsin to fulfill their aspiration of performing Hajj with their loved ones. This compassionate initiative ensured that deserving individuals could partake in this significant spiritual journey, despite their initial limitations.
Umar, the MORA and IH scheme representative, provided insights into the reasons behind the unfilled quota. Out of the allocated 88,000 slots, 44,000 were designated for the sponsorship scheme and the remaining 44,000 for the regular scheme.
“Due to time constraints and inadequate information provided to them, the Pakistani citizens residing abroad couldn’t understand the process,” he says. “They didn’t know that it was taking them too long to complete the necessary banking procedures. They had 17 days and an additional seven days, but they were not able to process their applications.”
Umar also pointed out that many Pakistanis living abroad, who wished to go for Hajj, did not have Pakistani passports and instead used foreign passports to submit applications. “A Pakistani passport is required to avail this scheme,” he says. “Since many individuals did not possess Pakistani passports, and obtaining one takes time, they were unable to fulfill the requirements within the given time frame.”
Smart move, poor execution
The idea of utilising Hajj applications to generate remittance for the country showed promise and foresight. However, the execution of this concept encountered various obstacles due to inadequate guidance provided to bank officers responsible for disseminating crucial information to applicants. Also, the guidelines provided to local individuals were confusing and led to a shortfall in the number of applications received.
The underlying intent to encourage remittance through the Hajj application process was commendable. However, the failure to effectively communicate the requirements and guidelines to bank officers and prospective applicants resulted in a missed opportunity to achieve the anticipated remittance goals. The importance of clear communication and streamlined procedures cannot be underestimated in ensuring the success of such initiatives.
Regarding the regular quota of 44,000 slots, Umar revealed that the Ministry received over 72,000 applications. “Due to this overwhelming response, both quotas were merged, and all applications received from both quotas were deemed successful,” he stated.
Umar further mentioned that the Ministry initially estimated a budget of USD 90 million but required additional funds. They approached the finance ministry for assistance. “Since the sponsorship quota received fewer applications and the regular quota received more, we requested the finance ministry for USD 235 million, which was arranged. An additional USD 25 million was required to accommodate the extra 7,000 applications. However, the ministry was unable to allocate the funds, resulting in the revocation of that particular quota of 7,000 slots. Nevertheless, we have successfully utilised 90-95% of the overall quota."
Way forward
The economic challenges faced by Pakistan have cast a shadow on the dreams of aspiring Hajj pilgrims. The surge in Hajj prices, driven by factors such as inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, has created significant barriers for middle-class individuals who yearn to embark on this sacred journey.
Despite the government’s efforts, the allocated quota remained unfilled, reflecting the financial strain experienced by prospective pilgrims. It is essential for the government to address the economic challenges and create more accessible opportunities for aspiring pilgrims, ensuring that the sacred journey of Hajj remains within reach for all segments of society. By implementing clearer guidelines, streamlining application processes, and considering the financial constraints faced by individuals, Pakistan can work towards fulfilling the dreams of its citizens to undertake this significant religious obligation.