The Saudi Arabian authorities have extended the deadline for property owners in Mecca to register their buildings for housing Muslim pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, scheduled for June 2025.
According to the Saudi newspaper Okaz, Deputy Governor of Mecca Saud bin Meshal has approved an extension until the 24th of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This means property owners now have until late March to submit their applications, as Ramadan is expected to begin on March 1 this year.
The government committee overseeing pilgrim accommodations has urged landlords to promptly visit accredited consultancy engineering offices to complete their registration process. The registration process initially began in July 2024 as part of Saudi Arabia’s early preparations for the Hajj season.
Saudi citizens seeking new permits or renewals to lease their buildings to pilgrims are encouraged to submit their applications without delay. Originally, the Mecca municipality had set the application deadline for the end of Rajab (corresponding to January 30). The deadline for permit issuance was set for the end of Shaaban, the eighth Islamic month.
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To ensure compliance, engineering firms accredited by the Mecca municipality and the civil defense authorities will inspect registered buildings to verify they meet all required safety and regulatory standards. Permits will only be granted to properties that meet the stipulated criteria.
Authorities have emphasized the importance of adhering to regulations, urging property owners to meet safety standards and apply early to avoid last-minute congestion and delays in processing.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. In 2024, approximately 1.8 million pilgrims, including 1.6 million from outside Saudi Arabia, participated in the sacred journey.
With this extension, the Saudi government aims to ensure sufficient and well-prepared accommodations for the millions of worshippers expected for Hajj 2025.
