The Minister of MOHIA, during a press conference, announced the quota and expenses for this year's pilgrims.

Wednesday, 16th of Ramadan 1445 AH (7th of Muharram 1403 AH) Kabul, Afghanistan: Today, the Minister of MOHIA, in a press conference held at the Government Media Centre, announced the quota for the Hajj pilgrimage in the year 1445 as 30,000 pilgrims, corresponding to 1403, and the pilgrimage expenses per pilgrim as 3865.98 US dollars, equivalent to 277006.74 Afghanis. In this conference, Sheikh al-Hadith, Dr. Molavi Noor Mohammad Saqib, the Minister of MOHIA, Sheikh al-Hadith Molavi Zarmohammad Haqani, Deputy Minister professional , Sheikh Molavi Azizur Rahman Mansoor, Deputy Minister of mysticism and religious places and Molavi Aarifullah Aarif, Deputy Minister of administrative and financial matters, and some heads of this ministry were present. The conference began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the Minister of MOHIA, welcoming the participants and media representatives, providing detailed information on the pilgrimage process. It was mentioned that the Ministry of MOHIA, with the grace and support of Allah and in cooperation with relevant governmental agencies, has been able to carry out useful, valuable, and timely activities based on the quota for the year 1445, corresponding to 1402 in Saudi Arabia, for the purpose of facilitating the movement of pilgrims to and from the Holy Shrines within and outside the country. Some of these activities have been finalized, while others are in the implementation stage. Here are some of the key activities mentioned: 1. Obtaining a quota of 30,000 pilgrims and requesting additional quotas based on the current population of Afghanistan from Saudi Arabia. 2. Transparent and fair distribution of the allocated quota among Hajj applicants nationwide. 3. In the current year 1445 AH, in addition to other initiatives in the pilgrimage process, the registration of new applicants nationwide was successfully completed. 4. In addition to the general pilgrimage quota this year, separate quotas have been allocated for Mujahideen, government departments, heirs of martyrs, migrants from Iran and Pakistan, and other countries. 5. To provide guidance and education on the rituals of Hajj for pilgrims, a number of knowledgeable scholars who participated in last year's exam were selected as mentors for the pilgrims after achieving excellent scores under the supervision of a qualified committee. 6. Experienced scholars and educators have organized educational seminars on various aspects of the pilgrimage process for the mentors of pilgrims. 7. Contracts with Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air have been signed for the transportation of pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia. 8. A Hajj guidebook based on the Hanafi school, containing important terms related to Hajj and introducing blessed sites, has been reprinted in Pashto and Dari languages. 9. Separate operational procedures have been prepared and finalized for better organization and management of the pilgrimage process to facilitate pilgrims in each department. 10. The official delegation of the Ministry of MOHIA in Saudi Arabia has timely signed contracts for accommodation, food, transport, and other executive matters related to the pilgrimage. 11. Buildings near the Holy Shrines in Mecca and Medina have been rented for the convenience of pilgrims. The honorable Minister of MOHIA stated: The leadership of this ministry has always endeavored to provide necessary facilities and services at low and appropriate costs considering the economic situation of the pilgrims. Serving pilgrims is considered a religious and moral duty by the officials of this ministry, and practical steps have been taken to fulfill this duty. Based on this, after careful consideration and scrutiny, we were able to eliminate the extra expenses of Hajj and announce this year's expenses per pilgrim as follows: The cost of Hajj this year per person is $3,865.98, equivalent to 277,006.74 Afghanis. For Shia pilgrims, with a difference of fifty (50) dollars, the cost per person is $3,915.98, equivalent to 280,589.36 Afghanis