Sky News, Saudi Arabia promises to fix hajj booking system as British pilgrims are left without flights and visas "Saudi Arabia has promised to secure alternative flights for pilgrims journeying to hajj this year after technical issues on its new travel portal disrupted many people's plans." I sympathise with (prospective) pilgrims here.

Seán McLoughlin, Middle East Eye, Hajj: How a new Saudi-run travel agency failed western 'guests of God' discussing the ongoing Motawif #hajj issues. "Western pilgrims report numerous flaws in new Hajj portal intended to maximise profits for the Saudi economy as it enacts modernisation plan." Online issues are significant here. I'm writing about this for my next book.

haramainsharifain.com, 'Hajj 2022: The Failed launch of Motawif', Hajj 2022: The Failed Launch Of Motawif "..., since the launch of the platform over two weeks ago, several applicants shared their grievances regarding the platform on social networking websites." Quite a lively critical post here from haramainsharifain.com

ABC News, Australian Muslims 'devastated' by Saudi Arabia's new Hajj pilgrimage lottery "Lottery systems exist in Muslim-majority countries to cope with population and religious demands, and they are government run.

"But the new lottery system limits the number of places to 1 million, whereas previously Muslims from Western countries could claim their own places through travel agencies and Hajj tours." Prices have also gone up, while travel agencies have been hit hard by this development. I always thought the 'lottery' aspect was problematic in other areas too ...

The National, Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces online draw results for pilgrimage, 15 June 2022 "The Ministry said more than 297,444 applications have been submitted in the electronic draw for citizens and residents within the kingdom for the upcoming Hajj season, “of which 62 per cent are for males and 38 per cent are females,” the Saudi Press Agency reported."