The Ministry of Religious Affairs has given registered private Hajj operators three days to activate their package categories under the 2027 private Hajj scheme, warning that failure to comply could result in the confiscation of their allocated quota.

According to ministry sources, August 31 has been set as the final deadline for Hajj companies to complete package activation on the Hajj Management System.

Unused quota could be redistributed

Sources said operators that fail to follow the ministry's instructions could lose their inactive quota.

The confiscated seats may then be distributed among other eligible Hajj companies. Some of the unused quota could also be transferred to the government Hajj scheme.

The ministry has already written to registered Hajj companies, directing them to activate all package categories according to their allocated quotas.

Only 54 bookings made

The deadline comes as bookings under the private Hajj scheme remain extremely low.

Only 54 pilgrims have so far booked their Hajj out of 71,684 allocated seats during the first five days of the booking process. This means around 99.9% of the private Hajj quota remains unused, according to ministry sources.

The booking rate currently stands at just 0.1%, putting pressure on operators to accelerate the process before the deadline.

New option for pilgrims

For the first time, pilgrims will also be able to select private Hajj packages directly through the Ministry of Religious Affairs' website.

Collection of dues for the private Hajj scheme began on August 23. Under the 40% quota allocated for the private scheme, payments are being collected against 71,684 seats.

The latest deadline highlights the government's effort to ensure that the allocated Hajj quota is fully utilised and pilgrims have sufficient time to complete their preparations.