MPs Demand Probe Into Hajj Registration System Failures
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain’s newly introduced Hajj registration system has drawn criticism for causing disruption to long-standing campaigns, some of which have been operating for more than 80 years. Five MPs are now calling for a parliamentary investigation to scrutinise the system’s rollout and address complaints of technical failures and a lack of fairness.
The MPs behind the request—Mohammed Al Olaiwi, Zainab AbdulAmeer, Abdulwahid Qarata, Hamad Al Doy, and Hanan Fardan—have pointed to the system’s flawed introduction, which they claim caused widespread confusion among Hajj contractors and pilgrims alike. The request for the inquiry, calls for a thorough examination of how the system was planned, implemented, and managed.
Campaign organisers have expressed frustration over the platform’s technical issues. According to the explanatory memorandum, the registration system crashed during its first hours of operation, and the electronic key required for access was deactivated on the opening day. The platform reportedly went offline again at 9 a.m., reopening late in the night without prior notice to organisers or registrants.
The request also raises concerns about transparency. Hajj contractors were allegedly unable to view how many registrants were allocated to their campaigns, while discrepancies were found between the official registration records and applications submitted by pilgrims. Adding to the frustration, the filtering results were published 12 days before the registration window closed, leading to what organisers described as misleading promotional efforts that damaged the reputations of campaigns with decades of service.
The MPs raised concerns about the actions of the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah in managing the implementation of the new system. The memorandum accuses the committee of failing to honour pre-launch commitments, such as providing campaigns with early access to the platform and keeping them informed about key features. Organisers were also critical of the committee for imposing steep insurance fees before allocating quotas and dismissing suggestions to refine the system.
The inquiry, if approved, would investigate the technical breakdowns, assess the fairness of the registration process, and evaluate whether the committee’s actions met the needs of organisers and pilgrims. Organisers have stressed the need for changes to ensure a smoother process in the future and to protect the legacy of Bahrain’s Hajj campaigns.
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