Over the years, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah has become increasingly expensive for many Muslims in South Africa. In 2023, the costs for Muslims to perform their pilgrimage have become unaffordable.
Some have prepared and saved their entire lives only to fall short at the eleventh hour. This has caused many accredited people to defer their positions or cancel their pilgrimage entirely.
However, in 2017, Crescent Lifestyle started a Hajj fund which contributes substantially to anyone experiencing shortfalls in their Hajj costs.
The Hajj fund provides an alternative option to bank and personal loans. Al-Firnas Patel said, “With regard to it being a loan. No, not at all. It’s absolutely not a loan. It’s a gift. It’s a sponsorship from Crescent Lifestyle and its management. There’s absolutely no repayment that is required as long as you go for the Hajj.”
Patel, Managing Director at Crescent Lifestyle, said the company was developed to provide quality products and services to add value to the lives of the Muslim community.
“We had a vision to empower the community, to assist the community, to develop the community and to uplift the community.”
Patel adds Crescent Lifestyle is a business. Therefore, all their financial contributions stem from their annual profits. So far, they have assisted multiple loyalty members to go on Umrah and financially supported various mosques, schools and charities in South Africa.
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Who is Eligible for the Hajj Fund?
Patel said the Hajj fund was a dream shared by everyone at the company. They noticed the desire the Muslim community had to go on their pilgrimage. Still, they could not fulfil their obligation due to unfortunate circumstances such as high costs.
Unlike the Umrah fund, the Hajj fund is not exclusive to Crescent Lifestyle members. Anyone and everyone are welcome to register for it on their app.
“As far as the Hajj is concerned. The criteria are quite simple. Obviously, you need to be eligible in terms of having your necessary accreditation from SAHUC. You need to have the necessary travel documents and visas. We do not get involved in doing the bookings or anything of that sort. We’re not there to do that. We’re mainly assisting you with whatever shortfall you might have. So, you have the responsibility of making sure you have the accreditation, your documents, your visas and your bookings. Whatever it is and whatever shortfall you have, we get invoiced directly from the travel agent, and we pay that amount to the travel agent fulfilling your shortfall.”
However, the funds will only be made available to some. Eligibility excludes people who can afford to go on their own and who have gone before. The purpose is to assist those who need or cannot afford the total amount to perform their pilgrimage.
Patel adds it is not a first come, first serve. Upon registration, the app will present people with questions they must answer honestly. The Crescent Lifestyle staff will vet and understand them to determine an individual’s eligibility.
