Saudi Arabia Opens Hajj Registration for Applicants within the Kingdom

Pilgrims keeping social distance and wearing face masks, perform farewell Tawaf around the holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, after completing their extended Hajj, "Hajj Al Kabeer", during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, July 22, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Pilgrims keeping social distance and wearing face masks, perform farewell Tawaf around the holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, after completing their extended Hajj, "Hajj Al Kabeer", during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, July 22, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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Saudi Arabia Opens Hajj Registration for Applicants within the Kingdom

Pilgrims keeping social distance and wearing face masks, perform farewell Tawaf around the holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, after completing their extended Hajj, "Hajj Al Kabeer", during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, July 22, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Pilgrims keeping social distance and wearing face masks, perform farewell Tawaf around the holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, after completing their extended Hajj, "Hajj Al Kabeer", during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, July 22, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Thursday the opening of early online registration for the Hajj 2023 season for pilgrims within the Kingdom through the Nusuk application.

This is part of the ministry’s efforts to facilitate the application procedures, upgrade the services’ quality, and enrich the religious and cultural experience of the pilgrims.

The ministry said in a press release on Thursday that there will be four categories of packages available for pilgrims. The economic package starts at 3,984 Saudi riyals ($1,060) and the most expensive package starts at 11,453 Saudi riyals ($3,042).

Pilgrims can choose to make one total payment or opt for three installments.

The ministry said that women will be able to perform Hajj without a mahram, or close male relative, to accompany them.

The minimum age for the online Hajj application is 12 years.

Priority will be given to pilgrims who have not performed Hajj before.

Pilgrims are also required to complete Covid-19 and influenza vaccines, in addition to having a valid Meningococcal ACWY vaccine certificate at least 10 days before arriving at the holy sites.

The ministry has urged pilgrims to only go through companies and institutions licensed by the Ministry for any Hajj-related services.

Registration for Hajj must be done by pilgrims themselves.



Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 1,145 Women, 13 Men

The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 1,145 Women, 13 Men

The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)

Kuwait issued seven new decrees on Saturday, revoking the Kuwaiti nationality of 1,145 women and 13 men, along with any individuals who may have acquired citizenship through affiliation.
The decrees, which are set to be published in the official Kuwaiti gazette on Sunday, stated that the decision followed a review of the Constitution, the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, and the recommendation of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
The decrees include the revocation of Kuwaiti nationality from 1,145 women, as well as individuals who may have acquired it through affiliation.
Additionally, the citizenship of certain individuals was rescinded under Article 21 of the Nationality Law, which permits the withdrawal of nationality if it was granted based on fraud, false statements, or incorrect documentation.
Under Kuwaiti law, the cabinet, acting on a proposal from the Interior Minister, has the authority to revoke citizenship in such cases. This also applies to individuals who acquired Kuwaiti nationality through affiliation with the original certificate holder.
Last Thursday, the Supreme Committee for Citizenship Affairs convened a meeting, chaired by the Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, who also serves as the committee's chairman.

The committee decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,647 individuals, with plans to present their cases to the Cabinet for further review.
This brings the total number of cases to 4,601 since October 31, a span of just three weeks.
The Committee began its work in early March, when Kuwaiti authorities launched a campaign to revoke citizenships for various reasons, primarily linked to fraud.
The Kuwaiti government states that the revocation of citizenship from forgers and dual nationals is intended to "preserve national identity, ensure stability, and protect the national fabric," as well as to remove the records of individuals who obtained citizenship through illegal means.