Increase in 2024 Hajj pilgrim numbers through reduction of administrative staff

The head of the Kashan Hajj and Pilgrimage Department has announced that the organisation is prioritising the 'popularisation' of the Hajj pilgrimage for the 2024 season.

The head of the Kashan Hajj and Pilgrimage Department stated at a centralised conference for Hajj pilgrims in the Kashan region that the 'popularisation' of the Hajj pilgrimage is a new approach that the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation is focusing on and pursuing seriously, particularly for the 2024 Hajj season.

Hamidreza Behrouzifar added that by modifying processes and utilising existing capacities, approximately 220 positions—equivalent to two caravans—have been cut from the administrative staff this year, with the number of pilgrims sent for the 2024 Hajj increased by the same amount.

Regarding how the gap left by the absence of administrative staff in the caravans will be covered, he explained that the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation intends to compensate for this shortfall without impacting the operational processes of the Hajj by utilising the capacity of pilgrims interested in serving, through schemes such as 'Hajj Helpers', 'Pilgrim-Servants', and 'Honorary Servants'.

He further added that this initiative by the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation will have an impact on both the number of pilgrims travelling and the reduction of costs and management of financial resources during Hajj operations.