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SINGAPORE \u2013 Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs\u00a0Faishal Ibrahim will lead the Singapore delegation of 900 pilgrims for this year\u2019s\u00a0haj\u00a0pilgrimage. <\/p>\n
This is the first time he is leading a haj delegation since taking on the Muslim Affairs portfolio in May 2025. <\/p>\n
Also, for the first time, all Singaporean pilgrims will depart and return together through three direct flights to and from Saudi Arabia, in addition to receiving the Nusuk Card \u2013 an official document \u2013 before departure.<\/p>\n
New safety measures were introduced to ensure the well-being of the pilgrims this time,<\/span><\/a> according to a statement by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) on April 25.<\/p>\n A total of 900 pilgrims will be travelling to the\u00a0holy\u00a0land, with the first group departing on May 9.\u00a0<\/p>\n Associate Professor\u00a0Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, said he is committed to ensuring the safety of pilgrims amid global uncertainty,\u00a0during a pre-departure briefing\u00a0for the 2026\u00a0haj pilgrimage\u00a0on April 25.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that many pilgrims, including your family members, have legitimate concerns, especially with the current developments in the Middle East,\u201d he said at\u00a0Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. <\/p>\n The briefing was organised by MUIS, in collaboration with the Association of Muslim Travel Agents Singapore (AMTAS).<\/p>\n \u201cWe have heard these concerns clearly through our interactions with pilgrims, their families and community leaders, including Malay\/Muslim Members of Parliament. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have taken your feedback into account, and are taking it seriously, as we strengthen our preparations for this year\u2019s\u00a0haj\u00a0season,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n He added that as in past years, extensive planning has been undertaken so that pilgrims can depart with more confidence and peace of mind. <\/p>\n In light of these concerns, new initiatives have been introduced for the 2026 haj season.<\/p>\n According to a statement by MUIS on April 25,\u00a0Singaporean pilgrims\u00a0\u2013 for the first time \u2013 depart and return together\u00a0on\u00a0three direct flights to\u00a0and from\u00a0Saudi Arabia.\u00a0<\/p>\n This change aims to improve coordination during travel and optimise the haj operations process,\u00a0MUIS\u00a0said.<\/p>\n Singaporean pilgrims will depart for Madinah on May 9, 12 and 14 and return home from Jeddah on June 1, 5 and 8.<\/p>\n Another security measure\u00a0introduced this year will see\u00a0Singaporean\u00a0pilgrims\u00a0being issued\u00a0a mandatory Nusuk\u00a0card before departing.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Nusuk card is an official\u00a0document\u00a0issued by Saudi Arabia\u00a0that contains the pilgrim\u2019s personal information,\u00a0grants\u00a0access to the holy sites and includes accommodation and transport\u00a0information\u00a0to support the pilgrims throughout their pilgrimage.<\/p>\n This is the first time Nusuk cards are issued before pilgrims leave for the haj.\u00a0Previously, the card was given to pilgrims upon their arrival in the holy land.<\/p>\n Prof Faishal, who will serve as the head of delegation alongside members of MUIS, AMTAS and the Singapore Pilgrims\u2019 Affairs Office (SPAO), explained that MUIS had undertaken thorough preparations in collaboration with AMTAS, sales agents and colleagues in Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU) from the onset of planning for this year\u2019s haj.<\/p>\n