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Wednesday, 09 September 2026 | 28 Rabiʻ I 1448 | 07:07
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FAQ's

SAHUC FAQ's

When pilgrims registered for Hajj through the SAHUC Portal, they were required to read the Hajj Registration Terms and Conditions and confirm that they had read and understood the information provided before proceeding with the registration process.

The Hajj Registration Guidelines clearly stated that the Hajj registration fee was a once-off, non-refundable fee. Since the introduction of the SAHUC Portal, this fee has ranged from R100 to a maximum of R309 per pilgrim, inclusive of VAT.

The SAHUC Constitution also provides for SAHUC to levy a non-refundable Hajj registration fee.

The registration fee was used to support the administration, systems and services required to facilitate the Hajj registration and accreditation process. Examples of these costs included:

  • Employment of office staff to administer Hajj-related functions and assist pilgrims.
  • Development and maintenance of the Hajj Dynamic Queuing System, which enabled pilgrims to view their position on the Hajj queue.
  • Development of the Hajj registration and accreditation system, which applied the date-and-time priority principle.
  • Annual Hajj awareness programmes to provide pilgrims with relevant information and guidance.
  • Development of a ticketing system through which pilgrims could submit and track queries.
  • Establishment and operation of a national telephone centre to assist pilgrims with enquiries.
  • Development and operation of bulk SMS and email communication systems for communicating important information to pilgrims.
  • General administrative and office expenses, including stationery, meetings and related operational costs.

These are examples of the services, systems and operational activities supported by the Hajj registration fees.

As at August 2026, no final decision has been taken by the SAHUC General Council regarding the future use or treatment of the non-refundable Hajj registration fees paid by pilgrims.

SAHUC has taken steps to ensure that this matter is considered from both an Islamic Shariah and legal perspective. In particular, SAHUC has sought independent Shariah guidance from three independent Fatwa bodies, as well as obtaining advice from legal counsel, regarding the appropriate treatment and use of these funds.

This process is important to ensure that any decision ultimately taken by SAHUC is properly considered from the perspective of both its Islamic obligations and its legal and governance responsibilities.

Why has SAHUC not yet made a final decision regarding these funds?

The matter is also being considered against the backdrop of current regulatory and parliamentary developments concerning SAHUC.

The CRL Rights Commission review/enquiry has not yet commenced, following the parliamentary enquiry raised in late 2025. SAHUC therefore considers it prudent to retain the funds until there is greater clarity regarding the outcome and implications of these processes.

This approach is intended to ensure that SAHUC remains in a position to meet any legitimate and necessary costs that may arise in connection with these proceedings, including potential legal or court-related costs, professional fees, travel and other reasonable expenses associated with participating in or responding to the enquiry.

The General Council will consider the appropriate treatment of the non-refundable Hajj registration fees once there is greater certainty regarding these matters, taking into account the Shariah guidance received, legal advice obtained, SAHUC’s constitutional obligations, and its financial and governance responsibilities.

Any final decision regarding the future use or treatment of the funds will be made through the appropriate SAHUC governance structures and communicated to pilgrims once formally determined.

Important: The retention of these funds at this stage should not be interpreted as a final decision regarding their ultimate use or treatment. No final determination has been made by the SAHUC General Council as at August 2026.

No. Alhamdulillah, SAHUC Board Members and General Council (GC) Members serve SAHUC on a voluntary basis and do not receive financial remuneration for their service.

Since the establishment of SAHUC in 1995, the organisation has operated on the principle that members of the General Council and Board serve as volunteers, without receiving salaries, fees, honorariums or other financial remuneration from SAHUC for their voluntary service.

The purpose of serving on the SAHUC General Council or Board is to contribute to the organisation and to the interests of South African Hajj pilgrims, rather than to receive financial compensation.

No.

SAHUC does not pay Board Members or General Council Members a salary, monthly allowance or financial remuneration for serving on these structures.

Members volunteer their time and expertise to fulfil their responsibilities to SAHUC.

Where a Board or General Council member is required to attend an official SAHUC meeting or perform an authorised SAHUC function that requires travel, SAHUC may cover the necessary travel and accommodation expenses associated with that official SAHUC function.

This is not remuneration or payment to the member. It is the reimbursement or payment of reasonable expenses incurred because the member is required to attend or participate in an official SAHUC function.

Where required, this may include:

  • Air travel for an official SAHUC meeting or function;
  • Accommodation where an overnight stay is required;
  • Other necessary and approved travel-related arrangements.

This applies whether the official meeting or function is held within South Africa or, where required, outside South Africa.

No.

The majority of SAHUC meetings are conducted online, particularly where physical attendance is not necessary.

For online meetings, Board and General Council members participate remotely and SAHUC does not incur travel or accommodation expenses.

No.

Board Members and General Council Members generally use their own vehicles and bear their own fuel costs when carrying out their voluntary SAHUC responsibilities, unless a specific expense has been formally authorised in accordance with SAHUC’s applicable policies.

No.

Board Members and General Council Members generally use their own personal cellphones and bear their own cellphone, data and communication costs associated with their voluntary service to SAHUC.

Nothing.

Board Members and General Council Members do not receive financial remuneration from SAHUC for serving in these voluntary positions.

Any approved travel or accommodation expenses incurred in connection with an official SAHUC function should not be regarded as income, remuneration or a benefit for serving on the Board or General Council. These are expenses associated with carrying out the member’s official responsibilities.

SAHUC was established in 1995 with the intention that its General Council and Board members serve the organisation voluntarily and in the interests of the South African Muslim community and Hajj pilgrims.

This voluntary principle has remained an important part of SAHUC’s organisational culture.

Board and General Council members contribute their time, experience, knowledge and expertise without receiving financial remuneration from SAHUC.

Yes.

Members contribute their time to attend meetings, consider Hajj-related matters, engage with stakeholders, assist with governance and administration, participate in discussions and make decisions relating to SAHUC’s responsibilities.

Much of this work takes place outside members’ normal working hours and is undertaken on a voluntary basis.

Yes.

It is important to distinguish between SAHUC’s employees and its volunteer governance structures.

SAHUC may employ staff where necessary to perform administrative, operational and professional functions. Employees are different from members of the Board and General Council, who serve in their governance capacities on a voluntary basis.

Why is this distinction important?

The distinction between remuneration and legitimate operational expenses is important.

If SAHUC pays for an approved flight and accommodation because a Board or General Council member is required to travel to an official SAHUC meeting, this does not mean that the member is being paid for serving SAHUC.

Similarly, where a meeting is held online, SAHUC generally incurs no travel or accommodation costs for the participating members.

In summary

SAHUC Board Members and General Council Members are volunteers and are not paid by SAHUC for their service.

Since SAHUC’s establishment in 1995:

  • No salary is paid to Board or General Council members for their voluntary service.
  • No monthly remuneration is paid to Board or General Council members.
  • No honorarium is paid for serving on the Board or General Council.
  • Members generally pay their own fuel costs.
  • Members generally pay their own cellphone and data costs.
  • The majority of meetings are conducted online, resulting in no travel or accommodation costs to SAHUC.
  • Where physical attendance at an official SAHUC meeting or function requires travel, SAHUC may cover the necessary and approved travel and accommodation expenses.
  • Such expenses are incurred to enable members to perform their official SAHUC responsibilities and are not remuneration for their voluntary service.

SAHUC is grateful to all its Board and General Council members who have, over the years, voluntarily given their time, expertise and personal resources in the service of Hajj pilgrims and the organisation.

SAHUC under the Nusuk Hajj model

Under the B2C (Business-to-Consumer) Nusuk Direct Hajj model, the role of SAHUC differs from the traditional arrangements that pilgrims may have been familiar with in previous Hajj seasons.

Under the current model, Hajj packages are offered and sold directly online by Saudi-authorised Hajj service providers (SPCs) through the official Nusuk Hajj platform. South African pilgrims who are eligible to participate in the Direct Hajj Programme deal with the Nusuk Hajj platform and the relevant Saudi service provider in accordance with the applicable Nusuk process.

SAHUC’s role under the B2C model is primarily to support and guide South African pilgrims, including through individuals who have Hajj and Umrah experience and who may serve as Hajj guides.

SAHUC members who wish to serve as Hajj guides participate in this process in their individual capacity. They do not register or contract as Hajj guides on behalf of SAHUC or in the name of a South African travel operator.

The B2C model therefore does not operate on the basis that SAHUC sells Hajj packages to pilgrims or enters into package-selling agreements with Saudi service providers.

A South African Muslim who meets the applicable requirements and has relevant Hajj and Umrah experience may register individually through the Nusuk Hajj platform, subject to the requirements and approval processes applicable at the time.

Registration as a potential Hajj guide is an individual process.

The individual does not register as a representative of SAHUC, a South African travel operator or another South African entity.

The Saudi-authorised Hajj service providers (SPCs) offer their Hajj packages through the official Nusuk Hajj platform.

The pilgrim selects and purchases the applicable package through the Nusuk system in accordance with the terms, pricing and services offered by the relevant SPC.

SAHUC does not sell these Hajj packages to pilgrims under the B2C Direct Hajj model.

Under the B2C model, an individual who has registered as a Hajj guide may establish a relationship with a Saudi service provider.

The SPC may enter into an agreement directly with the individual, setting out the applicable terms, responsibilities and commission arrangements.

The agreement is therefore between the Saudi service provider and the individual Hajj guide, and not between the SPC and SAHUC or another South African entity.

The arrangement may operate according to the quota and allocation structure of the relevant Saudi service provider.

As an example, where an SPC’s applicable arrangement provides for one Hajj guide for every 47 pilgrims, the SPC may allocate one guide to that group of pilgrims.

The exact quota, allocation arrangements and requirements may differ between SPCs and may also be subject to the rules applicable for the particular Hajj season.

The Saudi service provider determines the allocation and selection of Hajj guides in accordance with its own requirements and the applicable Nusuk arrangements.

Where an individual has established an arrangement with an SPC, the SPC may consult with that individual regarding suitable guides who can assist with serving the relevant group of pilgrims.

The final selection and appointment remain subject to the SPC’s requirements and applicable Nusuk processes.

No.

Each Saudi service provider may have its own commercial arrangements, including different commission structures, requirements, performance criteria and payment arrangements.

An individual Hajj guide must therefore rely on the specific agreement entered into with the relevant SPC.

Commission is not necessarily paid immediately after the pilgrims are registered or after the Hajj package is purchased.

The relevant SPC may evaluate the guide’s performance and the services provided during the Hajj season before determining the final commission payable.

Accordingly, commission may only be paid several months after the completion of Hajj, subject to the terms of the individual agreement with the SPC and the SPC’s evaluation and payment processes.

Under the B2C model described above, the arrangement is between the individual Hajj guide and the Saudi service provider.

SAHUC does not enter into such an agreement in its own name for the purpose of receiving Hajj guide commissions.

Similarly, a South African travel operator does not enter into the individual Hajj guide agreement on behalf of the guide.

Under the current B2C arrangement, the Hajj guide agreement is entered into with an individual rather than a South African entity.

Accordingly, the individual who registers and is selected as a Hajj guide is the person who enters into the applicable agreement with the Saudi service provider and, where applicable, receives the commission directly from that SPC.

Under this B2C model, any applicable commission is paid by the Saudi service provider to the individual Hajj guide with whom the SPC has entered into an agreement.

The commission is not paid to SAHUC.

Where an individual Hajj guide is selected by a Saudi service provider under the applicable arrangement, the SPC may cover the costs associated with the guide’s official Hajj-guide responsibilities.

These may include, where provided for in the agreement:

  • Marketing and Hajj awareness activities in South Africa;
  • Flights to and from Saudi Arabia;
  • Accommodation; and
  • Other agreed costs associated with the guide’s official responsibilities.

The exact expenses covered, conditions and limits are determined by the individual agreement between the Hajj guide and the relevant Saudi service provider.

Where an individual is selected and appointed by an SPC as a Hajj guide and the SPC agreement provides for these expenses, the relevant Saudi service provider bears the applicable costs.

These costs are not paid by SAHUC as remuneration to its members.

No.

Under this model, the individual Hajj guide’s relationship concerning the Hajj guide services is with the Saudi service provider in accordance with the individual agreement.

Being a member of SAHUC does not mean that the individual is employed by SAHUC or that the individual is acting as a paid SAHUC employee when performing Hajj guide duties under an SPC arrangement.

No.

Under the B2C Direct Hajj model, the Hajj packages are offered by the authorised Saudi service providers through the official Nusuk Hajj platform.

Pilgrims select and purchase their packages through the Nusuk platform.

SAHUC’s role is therefore not that of a Hajj package seller or travel operator under this model.

SAHUC members have extensive knowledge and experience relating to Hajj and Umrah and may voluntarily assist pilgrims by providing guidance, information and support.

Where an individual SAHUC member is registered and selected as a Hajj guide through the Nusuk process, that individual may provide services to pilgrims in accordance with the requirements and agreement of the relevant SPC.

This should not be confused with SAHUC itself selling or administering the pilgrim’s Hajj package.