"The Interior Ministry reduces passport fees for Syrian pilgrims by 50 percent."

Director of Hajj and Umrah, Samer Beirqadar, clarified that passport issuance fees will be reduced by 50% for all pilgrims, whether inside or outside Syria. The Hajj and Umrah Directorate stated during the Hajj lottery event, according to "SANA," that 43,215 people have applied for Hajj this year from inside and outside Syria. A first draw will be held to select pilgrims over 70 years old, totaling 1,575 out of 5,000 applicants. The Directorate mentioned that 58% of the pilgrims, the elderly, will be selected first, followed by a second draw to choose 35% of the pilgrims who were not accepted in the first round. Today, Tuesday, April 8, the Syrian Hajj lottery event for pilgrims registered for the Hajj pilgrimage season 1446 AH _ 2025 AD was launched at the National Library in Damascus in the presence of the Minister of Awqaf, Dr. Mohammad Abu Al-Khair Shakri.