Building on Working Relationship with Saudi Authorities to Manage Haj Arrangements and Quotas for Singaporeans

8 Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs how Singapore builds on its established working relationship with the Saudi authorities in managing Haj arrangements, including addressing considerations around (i) quota allocation, (ii) queue arrangements and (iii) health requirements for senior pilgrims.

The Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim): Mr Speaker, Singapore enjoys a strong working relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. We have a quota of 900 places for Haj pilgrims from Singapore and have requested for more Haj places. Most recently, I conveyed this request to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Taufiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, during my visit to Saudi Arabia in November 2025.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) administers our Haj quota through the MyHajSG portal queue system. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis for fairness and transparency. An exception is made for senior Haj pilgrims, aged 70 years and above, who are given priority consideration.

From 2026, Saudi Arabia will introduce new requirements for Haj pilgrims to produce a valid medical health certificate. MUIS and the Ministry of Health have worked with local healthcare providers to help our pilgrims fulfil these requirements.

Mr Speaker: Ms Yeo Wan Ling.

Ms Yeo Wan Ling (Punggol): I had constituents meet with me to ask more about the support that can be given to them for their Haj trips and especially those of their senior parents, particularly in the safety and health aspects when they are at Haj. I hope that the Minister could provide us with some examples of how MUIS, as well as the Ministry, is assisting them on this and supporting them through this.

And I am also heartened that there are workings right now to ask for a higher quota. But could I ask: is there anymore that we can do to improve our chances of obtaining a higher quota for Haj?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions, and I thank her for her concern in this area. It is an important area for the Muslim community here in Singapore.

If you look at how the system works today, Saudi Arabia sets the Haj quota for various countries based on a standardised formula, that is 0.1% of each country's Muslim population. So, Singapore was allocated 900 places for Haj 2026.

Having said that, over the years, if you look back and up to today, Singapore has proactively engaged Saudi Arabia to request for additional Haj quota. While I had conveyed this request, as shared in my answer, during my recent meeting with the Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, other Singapore leaders have also raised the same request during their meetings with the Saudi Arabia counterparts. So, I assure the Member we will continue to do so.

At the same time, MUIS works closely with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in demonstrating excellent Haj management and also compliance with regulation. So, this I believe will put us in good stead to request for larger Haj quota.

So, I would like to urge everyone here, as well as whoever can contribute in this, let us continue to work together to help our Muslim community fulfil their aspirations to perform the Haj.