Hajj Guide: Russia

Russian pilgrims register through the Hajj Committee of the Russian Federation, operating under the Council of Muftis of Russia. Regional spiritual boards (Dukhovnye Upravleniya Musulman) in Muslim-majority republics assist with local registration. Applicants must submit a valid Russian international passport (zagranpasport), medical fitness certificate, meningitis vaccination, and passport photographs. The Hajj Committee coordinates visa processing with the Saudi Embassy in Moscow. Registration occurs through regional Islamic authorities.

The Hajj Committee of the Russian Federation coordinates with regional spiritual boards to organize Hajj. Authorized operators are approved by the committee in conjunction with regional muftiyats. The largest delegations come from Chechnya, Dagestan, and Tatarstan, each with their own regional Hajj coordination. Pilgrims should register through official regional Islamic authority channels and avoid unlicensed operators.

Russia's Muslim population (~20 million) is concentrated in the North Caucasus (Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia) and the Volga-Ural region (Tatarstan, Bashkortostan). Russian, Chechen, and Tatar-speaking guides may be available in Saudi Arabia. The ruble-to-riyal exchange rate should be checked before departure. Russia's diverse climate means preparation varies by region — North Caucasus pilgrims may find Saudi heat less shocking than those from Siberia. Russian Muslims predominantly follow the Hanafi and Shafi'i madhahib. The Chechen and Dagestani delegations are particularly well-organized with strong group support.