Student Hajj Pilgrimage Opens Today: Golden Registration Opportunity with Favorable Loan Terms
Tehran – The registration process for the twenty-first edition of the academic Umrah pilgrimage commenced this morning, with officials announcing a significant expansion of the program and new financial facilities for student participants.
Program Expansion and Spiritual Goals
At a press conference held today, Hojjatoleslam Mostafa Rastemi, the head of the Representative Office of the Supreme Leader in Universities, outlined the significance of the initiative. He emphasized that universities are not merely educational environments but are central to nurturing the future leadership of the country.
“One of the functions of the university is to deepen human, national, religious, and ethical values,” Rastemi stated. He described the student pilgrimage as “one of the most beautiful manifestations of the integration of faith and knowledge,” highlighting how such activities, alongside academic pursuits and communal prayers, showcase the dynamic spirit of Iran’s Islamic universities.
Key Logistics and Increased Capacity
This year’s program sees a major increase in scale. The quota for student pilgrims has been doubled, allowing for 8,000 students to participate, a significant rise from the 4,000 who traveled last year.
Registration is now open and will continue for one week. The pilgrimages themselves are scheduled to begin on November 15th and run through December 18th. To accommodate the increased numbers, logistical services have been substantially enhanced. The number of flight departure stations has been expanded from four last year to eleven across the country.
Financial Support and Focus on Female Students
In a move to make the pilgrimage more accessible, officials have announced substantial financial support. The total cost of the journey is estimated between 62 to 65 million tomans. However, a 15-million-toman fee will be waived for students. Furthermore, arrangements have been made to offer participating students a low-interest loan of 50 million tomans to cover the remaining expenses.
A special focus will also be placed on female students this year, with selected female mentors and guides being appointed to assist and serve the female pilgrims throughout their spiritual journey.