Singapore has again been allocated 900 places for the annual Haj pilgrimage in 2027, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) announced on Friday (Sept 4). 

It said in a press release that the quota was allocated by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU).

The allocation is, in turn, administered on a first-come, first-served basis through MUIS' MyHajSG portal.

Applicants who registered before March 7, 2014, will receive their Letter of Intent via the MyHajSG portal from Sept 14 onwards, the council said.

They are also advised to keep their residential address, mobile number, and email address updated in the portal to ensure timely communication.

Enhanced mandatory medical examination process

As announced in 2025, MOHU now requires all prospective pilgrims to undergo an enhanced medical assessment.

This is to certify that they are free from disqualifying chronic conditions, and that they are physically capable of performing Haj independently. 

"These requirements are mandatory and must be met for the issuance of a Haj visa," MUIS highlighted.

The conditions that will affect an applicant's fitness for Haj are: failure of any major organs, neurological or psychiatric disorders, and those with active infectious diseases affecting public health.

In addition, prospective pilgrims with high-risk pregnancy or are in their final trimester, have mobility difficulties, or have active cancer conditions and receiving treatment, will be disqualified from performing the Haj.

If they are found with such disqualifying conditions in Saudi Arabia, they will be liable for medical costs not covered by insurance, authorities warned.

To this, the council said it has enhanced its medical assessment process to provide applicants with a consistent assessment of their fitness and ensure compliance with MOHU’s requirements.

It has also appointed medical service providers to conduct medical assessments for prospective Haj pilgrims.

The assessments will include a clinical examination, blood tests, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG) and mobility assessment.

Those with complex medical conditions will be referred to a medical panel for further assessment.

"This will provide applicants who require further medical review with greater clarity on their fitness to undertake Haj," MUIS explained.

All applicants must complete their assessment by Oct 13 at their own cost and are advised to register for their assessment early.

They will receive their medical reports directly from the appointed providers, and those who are found to be medically fit must accept their Letter of Intent through the portal by Oct 18.

MUIS added in its statement that applicants aged 70 years and above who are certified medically fit will receive priority consideration given the new stringent medical health requirements.

Advisory to applicants

The council also encouraged applicants to be financially, physically, mentally and spiritually for the Haj, adding that members of the public should not engage Haj-related services from any unauthorised individuals or travel agents.

Any encounters with unauthorised individuals or travel agents offering such services should be reported to the police immediately, MUIS said.

[[nid:736758]]

editor@asiaone.com