Somalia: Hajj Fees Do not Include Meals

By Asma Mohamud - Reporter

Saudi Arabia, 23 May 2026 Somalia’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said Hajj fees do not include meals, after pilgrims complained about food services in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Khadar Haji Dahir, head of Hajj affairs at the ministry, said meals have never been part of Somalia's official Hajj package. Instead, pilgrims have traditionally purchased food separately from Somali-run restaurants near their accommodation in Makkah and Madinah.

The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has set the maximum cost of the 2026 Hajj package at $4,543.50.

Ali Ibaar, chairman of Somalia’s Hajj service companies, also said local bus services in Makkah and Madinah were not included in the official Hajj package, similar to meals. He said the complaints raised this year would be reviewed as part of preparations for future pilgrimage seasons.

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According to Ibaar, some pilgrims mistakenly believed food services were included in the package and later complained when access to meals was disrupted.

He said Saudi authorities closed several Somali-run restaurants after determining they lacked the licences required to operate under local regulations. Ibaar said the restaurants had been operating as private arrangements and were not part of an officially approved catering programme for Somali pilgrims.

The ministry said Somali officials and Hajj service providers subsequently held discussions with Saudi authorities to address the issue. Officials said pilgrims were later able to access food through licensed restaurants operating in accordance with Saudi regulations.

Authorities said they would continue monitoring services provided to Somali pilgrims throughout the Hajj season and review complaints raised this year as part of preparations for future pilgrimages.