The National Office for Hajj and Umrah (الديوان الوطني للحج والعمرة) has officially released the preliminary list of tourism and travel agencies qualified to organize the Hajj season for the 1448 AH/2027 AD period. This significant announcement by the Algerian state body initiates the formal process for the upcoming pilgrimage, providing clarity on the initial selection of operators. The list identifies the agencies that have successfully met the initial criteria established to facilitate travel and full services for pilgrims heading to the holy city of Mecca. This publication marks a key step in ensuring organized and efficient Hajj services for Algerian citizens.
Selection Process Details
The National Office for Hajj and Umrah (الديوان الوطني للحج والعمرة) based the preliminary agency list on Decision No. 156, which was issued on July 13, 2026. This key decision formally established a dedicated selection committee tasked with the key responsibility of evaluating candidate tourism and travel agencies for the upcoming Hajj season. The committee's mandate was explicitly designed to ensure a rigorous, transparent, and equitable process for identifying the most qualified operators. The formation of this committee under Decision No. 156 shows the official commitment to a structured and fair selection methodology for agencies involved in Hajj organization.
Following its formation, the committee diligently convened to deliberate on the numerous applications received from various agencies. Its findings and recommendations, which detailed the outcomes of the full evaluation, were formalized in official minutes dated July 15, 2026. These minutes specifically detail the selection and ranking of the agencies, providing the foundational basis for the recently published preliminary list of approved operators. This careful process shows the official body's structured approach to managing pilgrimage services, aiming to uphold standards of quality and reliability for pilgrims. The thoroughness of this selection process is intended to ensure that only agencies meeting stringent criteria are considered for facilitating the sacred journey.
Appeals Procedure
Agencies wishing to contest their exclusion from the list or dispute their assigned ranking on the preliminary list must submit appeals through a specified formal channel. These appeals are required to be submitted in a sealed envelope, meticulously addressed to the Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments. This directive ensures that all grievances are directed to the highest appropriate authority for review. Specifically, the appeal documents must be deposited directly with the services of the National Office for Hajj and Umrah. The precise location for these submissions is the Hajj Activity Directorate, which is situated in Al-Qubbah. This formal process allows for a structured and official review of any grievances regarding the initial selection and ranking, providing agencies with a clear pathway to present their case and seek reconsideration.
Context and Next Steps
The appeals period for candidate tourism and travel agencies is currently open, having commenced on July 23, 2026, and scheduled to conclude on July 25, 2026. Agencies that believe they have been unfairly excluded from the preliminary list or dispute their ranking have this three-day window to formally challenge the decision. This phase is critical as it allows for a thorough review of any objections raised by the candidate agencies regarding the initial evaluation and selection process. The National Office for Hajj and Umrah (الديوان الوطني للحج والعمرة) will diligently process these appeals, ensuring that all submissions are carefully considered before the final list of approved operators for the 1448 AH/2027 AD Hajj season is officially published. This structured appeals mechanism is a standard and integral part of the administrative process for managing pilgrimage services, providing agencies with a vital opportunity to present their case and contribute to the fairness and transparency of the overall selection.
