• The method for selecting the Prospect Pilgrims this year is the same as before, which is based on the date and time of hajj registration on a “first-come-first-served” basis.

• TH will prioritize Prospect Pilgrims for the years 1444H/2023 and 1445H/2024. This is based on the first-come, first-served Hajj registration system.

• The Saudi government has approved a total of 31,600 hajj quotas for Malaysian pilgrims for 1445H/2024M.
   
• The official Hajj quota of countries in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), including Malaysia, is based on the OIC Meeting in Amman, Jordan, held in 1988. The Saudi government has set the Hajj quota for each country at a rate of 0.1% of the country's total population.

• TH introduces a targeted approach to ensure that the benefits of the aid can be fully enjoyed by the neediest.
   
• This Hajj Financial Assistance is also in line with TH's efforts to ensure the welfare of Malaysian Hajj pilgrims remains guaranteed.
   
• The Hajj Financial Assistance is continued for all TH Muassasah Hajj pilgrims, who is performing Hajj for the first time, consisting of two groups : the B40 and the M40 groups.
   
• Despite the increase in Hajj Payment, TH will bear the Hajj Financial Assistance estimated at RM350 million.
   
• From 2001 to 2023, a total of RM2.4 billion was spent on Hajj Financial Assistance.
   
• With a targeted Hajj Payment rate,the burden on low-income Malaysians may be alleviated.
   
• The targeted Hajj Payment Rate takes into account the Prospect Pilgrims individual's financial situation and not his household income.
   
• Providing Hajj Financial Assistance in a targeted way helps TH to cover the overall Hajj cost expenses while ensuring TH’s financial sustainability in the future.

• As per last year, TH has cooperated with several Government agencies in cross-checking Prospect Pilgrims information with the existing database.
   
• The determination of the Hajj Payment rate is finalized by the Tabung Haji (TH).

• The basis for determining the targeted Hajj Payment rates is to ensure that low-income groups are not overly burdened by the increase of the Hajj Payments.


• TH will also continue to ensure that Hajj Financial Assistance continues.


• TH also needs to find a balance between providing Hajj Financial Assistance to prospective pilgrims and distributing profits to more than 9 million of its depositors.

*Except appeal for i. Mahram, ii. Assistant for elderly pilgrims, iii. Assistant for pilgrims with disabilities (OKU)

** Including government assistance of RM1000 per person.

• TH is bearing RM350.1 million Hajj Financial Assistance for this year's Hajj season.


• The Malaysian Government has also allocated a total of RM1,000 for each BH in the B40 group as an addition to their Hajj Payment.

• The actual expenses of performing the Hajj are the full responsibility of Prospect Pilgrims.
   
• Targeted Hajj payment does not contradict the conditions of istito'ah and it is not wrong for the prospective Hajj pilgrims to receive help or donations from certain parties, but they are also not obliged to accept it. (National Muzakarah Hajj Resolution (MHPK 37 – 2020/1442H).

• All Prospect Pilgrims are highly encouraged to pay the full cost of performing Hajj in the Muassasah package which is RM33,300 in line with the concept of Istito'ah as per obligatory conditions of Hajj, even if they are eligible to receive Hajj Financial Assistance.
   
• The actual expenses of performing the Hajj are entirely the responsibility of the prospective Hajj, in accordance with surah Ali-Imran verse 97: "And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the house (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision, and residence)". .

• When a Prospect Pilgrim chooses to perform Hajj through the Muassasah package, they will receive the same treatment, level of service and facilities even though the Hajj Payment is different.

• The Prospect Pilgrim selection method this year is based on the same policy as before, which is based on the date and time of hajj registration on a “first-come-first-served” basis.

• The determination of B40 category status is final and is based on accurate information obtained from the Government.

• Hajj appeals can be made via the THiJARI online platform beginning 26 January 2024, with priority given to mahram appeals..

• For those who appeal and are selected to perform Hajj through Muassasah, the full payment of the Hajj Cost which is RM33,3000 has been set, except for those who appeal and fall into the following categories :-
  1. Mahram to the Prospect Pilgrims who has been selected to perform Hajj; or
  
  
  2. Assistant to elderly pilgrims aged 75 and above; or
  
  
  3. Assistant to pilgrims with disabilities who have been selected to perform Hajj.

• Hajj selection is based on the date and time of Hajj registration, where the former comes first. based on the date and time of hajj registration on a “first-come-first-served” basis.

• Prospect Pilgrims who choose to participate in the THTS Hajj package or PJH for the Hajj season 1445H/2024 will not receive Hajj Financial Assistance as per the existing policy and are required to pay according to the package rates offered by their respective PJH companies.

• The Hajj Payment Rate set for each Muassasah pilgrim is based on their respective individual categories and not based on a family code.
   
• For family members who have performed Hajj before, they are not eligible to receive Hajj Financial Assistance and must pay the full Hajj Cost.
   
• For family members whose appeal to perform Hajj are accepted, they are also not eligible to receive Hajj Financial Assistance and must pay the full cost of Hajj (unless for appeals related to mahram and assistance for elderly or disabled pilgrims, as per question no.15).

• This targeted Hajj Payment rate policy will be implemented for the 1445H/2024 Hajj season, and the Hajj Payment rate for the following season will be reviewed from time to time.

• Each Prospect Pilgrim in the B40 and M40 groups can voluntarily pay more than the Hajj Payment rate set in their Hajj offer letter.
   
• Prospect Pilgrims can choose to pay more according to their financial ability and only need to choose one of the specified Hajj Payment increase levels.

• The cost of performing Hajj has increased every year and is inevitable due to factors beyond TH's control such as the increase of the inflation rate, 15% value added tax (VAT), increased charges for services in Saudi Arabia, post-Covid-19 outbreak costs as well as development in Makkah and Medina.
   
• So the Hajj Payment needs to be increased in line with the increase in the cost of performing the Hajj. A targeted increase in the Hajj Payment Rate will also reduce expenses for Hajj Financial Assistance as a whole.
   
• If not curbed, the increasing expenses for Hajj Financial Assistance will further burden TH's financial position in the current economic slowdown.
   
• Profit distribution is subject to income, investment returns and the current economic position. Hajj Financial Assistance and profit distribution as a return to depositors have an opposite relationship.
   
• When more expenses are channeled for Hajj Financial Assistance, then the operating costs will increase and there will be less income from investment to be distributed to depositors.

• TH does not allocate specific quotas to any particular group.