[KavkazUzel] The cost of the Hajj for pilgrims from Ingushetia in 2025 increased by one hundred dollars due to the rise in the cost of living in Saudi Arabia. This year, 1,441 people from the republic went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, but not everyone who wanted to could get to Mecca.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", the first group of 180 pilgrims departed from the airport in Magas for the Hajj to Saudi Arabia on May 25. 90% of the free Hajj vouchers allocated to Ingushetia by Suleiman Kerimov were distributed  among the families of the SVO participants. Commentators on the social network emphasized that the families of the fighters who signed the contract in other regions were left without vouchers, while other users believed that priority should have been given to the poor.
Hajj is a pilgrimage to the Muslim holy sites in Mecca, and is one of the five main pillars of Islam=. Every Muslim who has reached adulthood and has the opportunity to do so is required to perform the hajj at least once in their life. The pilgrimage to Mecca usually takes place at the beginning of the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar and ends with the feast of sacrifice, Eid al-Adha. In addition, there is the so-called "small hajj" - Umrah.
In 2024, the cost of the Hajj for believers from Ingushetia increased by $100 compared to last year. The main reason for the increase was changes in hotel prices in Saudi Arabia, Adam Merzhoev, a representative of the Hajj Committee of the Republic, told  a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
"The cost of the Hajj this year is $5,600 for a direct flight and $4,900 for a combined flight. Last year it was $5,500 and $4,800, respectively," he said.
According to Merzhoev, the increase in prices is connected not only with the increase in hotel prices, but also with changes in logistics and exchange rate fluctuations. "The price-forming factors are hotels, especially in Mecca, as well as transfers and flights," he said.
The quota for Ingushetia was increased this year. Initially, the republic was allocated 1,300 places, but after an appeal to the relevant authorities, an additional 142 places were provided. In total, 1,442 pilgrims from the Republic planned to go to Hajj this year.
"There were more applicants than quota places. We even kept a reserve list, but, unfortunately, we were unable to satisfy all applications," the Committee representative noted.
Of the pilgrims registered to participate in the Hajj, all but one flew out. "One pilgrim died before the flight. May Allah have mercy on him," Merzhoev said. Thus, 1,441 people arrived in Mecca, and 12 staff members-organizers were added to them, the source said.
There are two programs available for pilgrims this year - a direct route and a combined route. The bulk of the pilgrims took a direct flight from Magas Airport. One group of 49 people followed a combined route: from Grozny to Dubai, and then by bus to Saudi Arabia.
"On average, there are 45 people in each group. Each group has a guide-alim who accompanies them from the very beginning, consults, explains the procedure for performing the Hajj and other rituals," said a representative of the Hajj committee.