Haj Visa Applications in 2011

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts & Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) what are the factors that led to 652 would-be pilgrims failing to get their visas to perform the haj this year; (b) what are the measures taken to ensure that such a problem will not recur; and (c) whether all the 652 persons will be given priority to perform the haj in 2012.

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Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: We understand the desire among Singaporean Muslims to go on the haj . Singapore's official quota for the haj this year was 680. In September, we were allocated another additional 1,500 places, following my personal appeal at the Haj Ministerial Meeting in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, bringing the total official places to 2,180. MUIS, the central haj authority in Singapore, allocates these visas based on its Advance Haj Registration System, under which priority is given on a queue basis to first-timers who have not performed haj before.

Since last year, the Saudi Embassy here in Singapore has acceded to appeals from travel agents on behalf of the would-be pilgrims for additional visas. These visas which are outside of the official visas mentioned above are termed goodwill visas.

This year, 652 would-be pilgrims were unable to perform the haj because we were not given any goodwill visas, unlike the previous year. Understandably, the affected people were disappointed. I personally made repeated appeals to the Saudi Haj Minister, including meeting him in Saudi Arabia when I attended their Crown Prince's funeral in end October. Despite these attempts, we were not granted any additional visas.

MUIS' policy is that applicants who are under MUIS' Advance Haj Registration System should be given their visas ahead of those who are to be granted goodwill visas. However, due to time constraints this year, the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Singapore processed applications on a first-come-first-served basis. When they reached our total quota of 2,180, they were unable to issue any more. This resulted in visas being given to some 316 pilgrims from the group of 652 who were supposed to be given goodwill visas. Hence, 316 applicants from MUIS' Advance Haj Registration System who were supposed to be part of the official quota of 2,180 were unable to get visas. MUIS will give priority to these affected pilgrims next year.

As for the remaining 336 goodwill visa applicants who were disappointed this year, whether they will get to perform the haj next year will depend on total number of places given by the Saudi Arabia authorities. Just like what we did this year, we will try our best to secure as many additional places as possible. However, we should respect the official number of places approved by the Saudi Arabia authorities.

MUIS is our central haj authority that works with the Ministry of Haj in Saudi Arabia. It has put in place a comprehensive system that not just processes applications but also includes the provision of medical and welfare services, vetting, validation and appointment of travel agents to provide haj services, training of pilgrims and even certification of those leading them.

We will continue to review and to improve the system. But for the system to work, it is important that all abide by the system, especially for visa matters. I urge General Sales Agents and the Association of Muslim Travel Agents Singapore as well as members of the community who wish to perform haj to adhere to MUIS' registration process and system. This will help prevent this year's problem with the visas from recurring.

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