Saudi Arabia: Licenses of 10 Umrah Firms Revoked Due to Repeated Failures
These firms, out of a total of 321 in the Umrah service sector, had previously been cautioned regarding their breaches by oversight teams at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Saudi media outlets reported on Sunday.
The identified violations encompassed the failure to provide suitable accommodations for Umrah pilgrims, as well as ensuring comfortable transportation for the faithful traveling between the cities of Mecca and Medina, which host Islam's holiest sites.
Additionally, the companies were found to be in non-compliance with the obligation to provide agents in both cities and secure reservations for pilgrims intending to visit Al Rawda Al Sharifa, the location of the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.
The names of the affected firms were not disclosed.
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The country is anticipating the arrival of approximately 10 million Muslims from abroad during the current Umrah season, which commenced more than five months ago following the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage season.
Notably, the Hajj season, attended by around 1.8 million Muslims, marked the first time in three years that pandemic-related restrictions were lifted.
Muslims who are unable, either physically or financially, to participate in Hajj often undertake the Umrah pilgrimage as an alternative spiritual journey.
Source: Agencies
