A large number of local Muslims will not be allowed to perform a Mecca pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as South Africa will likely exceed its attendance quota, according to a report on Tuesday.
The Cape Times reported on Monday that almost 9 000 people had applied for Hajj this year but only 3 000 had been allowed to travel last year as dictated by the Saudi Hajj Ministry.
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council would meet the ministry this week to discuss the 2012 quota.
According to the report, the ministry recently implemented a system where only 1 000 people per million Muslims in a country would be allowed to go to Saudi Arabia. South Africa has about a million Muslims.
Muslims who are physically and financially able are required to perform Hajj once in their life. — Sapa