Speaking in a meeting on Monday in Tehran, Seyed Sadeq Hosseini said that negotiations have been conducted to obtain discounts from Saudi companies this year.
Pointing to soaring prices, Hosseini added that letters have been sent to Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Ministry in this regard and that other countries have also voiced their protest and concern but there has been no official response by Saudi officials so far.
Other than an increase in the costs of services, the prices of goods have also increased, he said, noting that for instance, the price of protein foods has enhanced by 20 to 40 percent.
Accordingly, the organization must charge pilgrims an additional 7 million tomans (nearly $230 USD), he regretted.
Some reports have named the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in flight costs, and inflation as the main reasons behind this year’s surge in Hajj price.
Saudi Arabia has announced that it will receive foreign pilgrims for Hajj this year after two years of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figures show some 5.8 million Iranians are on a waiting list for travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.
They have been waiting for years for their turn.
source:iqna
