South Africa Transitions to Direct Hajj Model via Nusuk Hajj Platform
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) hereby informs the Muslim Community of South Africa regarding important developments and ongoing engagements regarding SAHUC's stature as the Hajj Affairs Office and the model for facilitating Hajj for South African pilgrims.
In line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's global rollout of the Direct Hajj Model (Nusuk Hajj platform), South African pilgrims will now register, select, and secure their Hajj packages exclusively through the Nusuk Hajj platform.
SAHUC will not continue with the Hajj facilitation process, including initiating the process of accrediting pilgrims for Hajj 1447AH.
It is understood that the Direct Hajj model (Nusuk Hajj platform) will open for pre-registrations within a month or two and official Hajj registration for the 1446 pilgrimage from South Africa during Rajab 1447 (late in December 2025). The South African quotas has been reduced from 2500 under SAHUC to 1145 on the Nusuk Hajj platform.
Every South African will have to register again for Hajj through the Direct Hajj model (Nusuk Hajj platform) when the registration process opens. Pilgrims who have previously performed Hajj will now be eligible to apply again. Applications may be submitted annually, provided the pilgrim is selected and has the financial means to undertake the journey.
All service delivery related queries and complaints will need to be addressed directly to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and/or the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Pretoria.
Over the past thirteen months, SAHUC has actively engaged in full compliance with the requirements of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU). This process has included:
- Engagement with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pretoria.
- Meeting with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Consultations with South African government bodies, including DIRCO and the CRL Rights Commission.
- Securing official recognition from the CRL Rights Commission as the designated Hajj authority for South Africa.
- Submission of this recognition to Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels.
- Launching the SAHUC registration portal and initiating logistical preparations for Hajj 1447 AH.
Furthermore, SAHUC has engaged with the majority of South Africa's prominent Ulamas bodies as well as general council organizations and received their formal letters of support in favour of continuing with the Hajj Affairs Office model rather than moving to the Direct Hajj Model (Nusuk Hajj platform).
Implications of the Direct Hajj Model for South African Pilgrims:
The transition to the Direct Hajj Model (Nusuk Hajj Platform) will introduce several implications for South African pilgrims:- The long-standing SAHUC waiting list, currently spanning 8-10 years, will fall away and no longer apply. Pilgrims will be selected directly on a first-come, first-served basis on the Nusuk platform.
- Applications will be processed strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability within South Africa's new quota only. All pilgrims are allocated to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU).
- South African pilgrims may be distributed across multiple Saudi Service Providers (SPCs), which could result in the contingent being split during the Hajj journey, including during the five days of Hajj in the Masha'ir.
- The Nusuk platform does not provide a waiting list or queue. Applicants who are unsuccessful in a particular year will have to re-apply for subsequent years.
- The package duration ranges from 10 days to 21 days. This is shorter than the traditional durations to which South African pilgrims have become accustomed to.
- Based on NUSUK hajj costs for 2025/1446H, there is a strong possibility that package costs will be higher than what South African pilgrims have historically paid.
- Pilgrims will not have access to customized support services traditionally provided under the Hajj Affairs model including logistical, spiritual, and medical support tailored to South Africans.
- Pilgrims who have previously performed Hajj are now eligible to apply again. Applications may be submitted annually, provided the pilgrim is selected and has the financial means to undertake the journey.
- Individuals who have previously performed Hajj may apply on the Nusuk Hajj platform to serve as 'Guides.' The number of guides is not determined by the platform; the number of guides will be significantly fewer than those previously available under the Hajj Affairs office model.
- Some SPCs may include flights in their packages, while others will require pilgrims to arrange their own flights independently.
- Should pilgrims wish to withdraw funds from their Digital Wallet on the Nusuk Hajj platform, a cumbersome process may be involved. The MOHU will provide minimal guidance regarding this issue.
- In the unfortunate event of a death in the Kingdom, the deceased's family will be required to liaise directly with the Consulate of the Republic of South Africa.
- We recognize, however, that the transition to the Direct Hajj Model may present challenges for some pilgrims, particularly those who are not technology savvy or familiar with mobile applications. Unlike the previous model where local offices would assist the pilgrim with offline and manual tasks, pilgrims will now be required to secure packages and manage queries directly online via the Nusuk Hajj platform.
Direct Hajj model (Nusuk Hajj platform) - Key features.
The Direct Hajj Model (Nusuk Hajj Platform), already implemented in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States, introduces significant changes to the way South African pilgrims may apply and prepare for Hajj.Key Features of the Direct Hajj Model:- Licensed Saudi Arabian Service Providers (SPCs) will design, manage, and market Hajj packages directly to pilgrims on their own, outside of any council or local authority.
- Any Muslim over the age of 12, whether a first-time or repeat pilgrim, will be eligible to apply directly online via the Nusuk platform. Once an application is accepted, the pilgrim must select a package and make payment through their digital wallet within the specified timeframe.
- Applications will only be open during a defined period, beginning approximately four months prior to Hajj, and will close three months prior to the journey.
- Pilgrims will be required to book their Hajj packages directly with SPCs via the Nusuk Hajj platform. In 2024/1445, a total of 14 SPCs were licensed to sell packages via the Nusuk Hajj platform.
- Packages typically range between 10, 14 or 21 days and include 3, 4, and 5-star accommodation options, as seen during Hajj 1445 (2025).
- The role of SAHUC and/or South African travel operators will be limited to providing information, guidance, and support for those applying through the Nusuk Hajj platform.
- While the platform provides for the appointment of local pilgrim guides locally on a commission basis, SAHUC has formally declined this option as it falls outside its mandate.
- Scholars (Ulama, A'alims, and A'alimas) wishing to provide spiritual guidance, as well as individuals in charge of groups of pilgrims, must now apply through the Nusuk Hajj platform. Previously, SAHUC would cover their costs and may negotiate remuneration or commission for their services.
- Medical and health facilities will be provided by the Saudi Ministry of Health and made accessible to pilgrims at designated locations throughout the pilgrimage.
- Group registrations will be permitted but limited to a maximum of eight people per group.
ANNEXURE - BACKGROUND OF HOW EVENTS HAVE UNFOLDED POST HAJJ.
- Engagement with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission). On the 15th of June 2025, SAHUC formally informed DIRCO of the new Hajj regulations for Hajj 1447AH/2027 that was released by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) and requested an urgent meeting to discuss the implications. DIRCO responded that after internal consultations, it did not have a mandate to manage Hajj affairs beyond the usual consular duties and said any grievances or administrative matters be taken up with the CRL Rights Commission which was the relevant constitutionally mandated body to deal with such matters. The two ministerial offices, the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, had appointed the Ministerial Committee on the Efficient Management of the Administration of Hajj Pilgrims (MCEAHU) to investigate and report relating to Hajj. It should be noted that the final report of this committee (MCEAHU) has only recently been shared with the CRL Rights Commission as per DIRCO. On the 30th of July 2025, SAHUC met with the CRL Rights Commission during which SAHUC briefed the Commission on the role it is playing currently in organizing the Hajj Pilgrimage and the implications of the Saudi Hajj Rules and Regulations that had been released by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU). The CRL Rights Commission in turn briefed SAHUC on the outcome of the Consultative Process which it had undertaken at the request of DIRCO in 2022. The report stated that since the Hajj Affairs office had been formally closed by the Ministry of Hajj, it was not the role of a body to provide spiritual, logistical, medical and administrative support. It was the role of the individual to ensure that they get the best deal. SAHUC has been requested to provide a plan to the CRL Rights Commission on how it intends to address the needs of South African pilgrims under the new system and to report back on the status of its accreditation with the Saudi Hajj Ministry. The CRL Rights Commission further stated that SAHUC should be retained as a Hajj Affairs office and that it was necessary for SAHUC's Constitution to be reviewed and amended to ensure inclusivity and alignment with the Saudi Hajj and national laws in line with the CRL Rights Commission's recommendations. Both parties agreed to urgently engage further in order to address the CRL Rights Commission's Report's recommendations.
- Engagement with the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pretoria. On the 9th of August 2025, SAHUC met with the Saudi Ambassador to discuss the challenges being experienced in South Africa with regards to the new Hajj rules and regulations. The Ambassador mentioned that he would take up these matters with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and would revert. He also requested travel operators to submit proposals by the 15th of August 2025. It is our understanding that the 26th of August 2025, the Saudi Ambassador met with seven travel operators, who presented their grievances and made requests for South Africa to be placed onto the Nusuk Hajj platform model.
3. Developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, as agreed with the CRL Rights Commission, SAHUC continued with its activities relating to organizing the Hajj pilgrimage for 1447AH/2026, operating within the framework and timelines set by the MOHU.On the 25th of June 2025, SAHUC had received the official electronic quotation of 2026 for South Africa, through the Nusuk Masar (admin portal) system under the Hajj Affairs Office. Upon receipt of the official quota of 2026, SAHUC had sent out correspondence requesting an extension from the MOHU, enabling prospective pilgrims to view their queue position and begin preparations for Hajj accreditation.On the 27th of June 2025, while SAHUC was in the process of preparing and setting up its Mina and Arafat camps, the MOHU halted the process. Upon inquiry as to the rationale for the MOHU's action, we were advised that it was due to the complaints lodged by the South African travel operators.Furthermore, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) informed SAHUC that it had received communications questioning SAHUC's mandate.The MOHU was informed that the operators advocated for South Africa's transition to the Direct Hajj model (Nusuk Hajj platform).On the 28th of August 2025, SAHUC met senior MOHU officials, who raised concerns over conflicting communications from South Africa, including correspondence questioning SAHUC's mandate.The MOHU discussed the Direct Hajj model (Nusuk Hajj platform) and also explained the MURSHID ("guide") model, stating that it can be any person and that the number of guides would be based on the number allocated to the SPC. This is a role for which either SAHUC or a travel operator's or any citizen could apply. The MOHU made it plain that SAHUC was providing medical support and that the role was that of a travel operator.The MOHU subsequently requested a formal letter from the South African government confirming SAHUC's recognition. Without this letter, South Africa was to be transitioned to the Direct Hajj model (Nusuk Hajj platform).
4. Subsequent DevelopmentsOn the 2nd of September 2025, pursuant to SAHUC's urgent request, the CRL Rights Commission convened a meeting to address the MOHU's request. SAHUC acknowledges and appreciates the CRL Rights Commission's responsiveness in facilitating this engagement.The Commission subsequently issued an official letter affirming SAHUC's recognition as the Hajj Affairs Office for South African Muslims. The letter was duly submitted to the Saudi Embassy in Pretoria for onward transmission to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and, ultimately, to the MOHU. A copy of the letter was also sent directly to MOHU.On the 11th of September 2025, SAHUC met with DIRCO to discuss the current situation with regards to new Hajj rules and regulations as well as timelines and what is required from a government perspective to secure the South African Musalleen (sic) Hajj Affairs Office.Alhamdulillah, the CRL Rights commission's 'Official Letter' was sent by DIRCO through diplomatic channels to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and we received confirmation that the letter was received on the 15th of September 2025.Since 15 September 2025, SAHUC has been in continuous engagement with officials from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) while awaiting the official confirmation of their decision. On 18 September 2025, the official communication from the MOHU to SAHUC acknowledging SAHUC was successfully and officially sent. The letter confirms the transition to the Nusuk Hajj platform and outlines a reduction in South Africa's Hajj quota.SAHUC extends its heartfelt gratitude to all South African pilgrims who have undertaken their sacred journey with the sole belief systems, even when this has not been their sole mission and knowledge has not been their sole reason and has not been solely for the pleasure of Allah.We further acknowledge and deeply appreciate the support of the South African Government, the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, service provider companies, travel operators as well as all role players and stakeholders across the Hajj sector.Our sincere appreciation is also extended to our office staff, general Council volunteer members, and partner organisations, whose dedication and selfless service have been instrumental in assisting and guiding the pilgrims of South Africa.As we move into this new chapter, we convey our best wishes to all pilgrims transitioning to the Direct Hajj Model via the Nusuk Hajj Platform.Looking ahead, SAHUC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to serving the South African Muslim community with dedication and integrity. While this transition represents a significant shift, we remain available to provide support to pilgrims through the entire ticketing system, ensuring that their sacred journey continues with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind In Shaa Allah.Released by The Board of SAHUC
