Somalia, 01 October 2025 – The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments has officially announced the opening of this year's Hajj season, setting the official cost of the pilgrimage at $4,543.5, a slight decrease from last year’s price of $4,604.
Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Mukhtaar Roobow, made the announcement on Tuesday evening during a ceremony in Mogadishu marking the launch of Hajj services for 2026. He said the modest reduction will help reduce the financial pressure on Somali pilgrims.
“The Hajj cost this year is $4,543.5. Compared to last year, it has decreased slightly,” the Minister stated.
Roobow added that major improvements had been made to Hajj services, noting that last year Somalia ranked fourth among countries providing the best Hajj services, according to assessments conducted by Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre, who attended the event, said the government had introduced reforms to improve the quality of Hajj services after years of complaints regarding accommodation, transport, food standards, and overall coordination.
He acknowledged that the reforms had faced challenges and resistance, but stressed that the government remained committed to implementing them.
Officials emphasized that the opening of the new Hajj season and the reduction in costs are part of wider efforts to improve religious services and ensure Somali pilgrims can fulfill their Hajj obligations with dignity and ease.