The federal government has decided to abolish Salar system and introduce Pilgrimage Group Organizers system for the zaireen who are visiting Iran, Iraq, and Syria, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the government has decided to swiftly implement the 2021 policy concerning religious travel.
The ministry spokesperson said for the introduction of Pilgrimage Group Organizers system, applications were invited in 2021 and 585 companies submitted their complete documents and information for the registration. The Ministry of Religious Affairs like Hajj and Umrah, registration with the Ministry is now also mandatory for pilgrimages to the holy sites.
Spokesperson said that the Ministry of Religious Affairs has provided another opportunity for the registration of pilgrimage groups. “To qualify, companies must demonstrate good character, financial transparency, and must not be blacklisted in the host countries,” he added. They must also provide proof of experience in organizing pilgrimage trips, relevant documents, and audit or bank reports.
The spokesperson also said new companies must submit their applications by August 10, 2025. The decision comes in response to challenges faced by pilgrims traveling to Najaf, Karbala, Mashhad, Qom, Kazmain, and Damascus.