Country readies for 6 million Umrah pilgrims Umrah season starts at the beginning of Safar, or Dec. 9 The ministry has begun receiving Umrah visa applications through its global electronic network 18 November 2013 The Kingdom has plans in place to receive 6 million Umrah pilgrims this year, up from the over five million who came last season, according to Bandar Hajjar, minister of Haj. Hajjar said the Umrah season starts at the beginning of Safar, or Dec. 9. The ministry has begun receiving Umrah visa applications through its global electronic network, which is linked directly to the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies. Hajjar said the government expects more than 6 million pilgrims in the nine months ahead. He said more than 50 Umrah companies would be allowed to provide services for these pilgrims and oversee their accommodation in hotels and other housing units in Makkah and Madinah. The ministry would ensure Umrah companies and institutions follow government regulations. Hajjar said the ministry would not grant companies visas unless they confirm their service packages. The Umrah Information Center would facilitate and control the arrival of millions of pilgrims from around the world. He said the ministry would also oversee pilgrims leaving the country according to an approved schedule to prevent delays. This would take place through an electronic monitoring system. Pilgrims, he said, would travel from their accommodation to the airports at set times. The ministry would keep an electronic record of each stage of the journey. This system includes an automated link between the Haj Ministry, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Saudi Arabian Airlines. Information would then be transmitted directly to the Umrah companies and institutions through the Haj and Umrah Information Center. Hajjar said the government would penalize airlines for failing to transport pilgrims according to agreed schedules. The ministry has set up the electronic service at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. Pilgrims would only be allowed to leave their accommodation if other pilgrims have left the airports on their scheduled flights. This is to prevent overcrowding at the airports. Hajjar said meetings would take place in the next few days between senior officials of the ministry and its affiliates to discuss monitoring processes and mechanisms to improve pilgrim services in line with the orders of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and the crown prince. A major feature of these services is the electronic Umrah program that links the Ministries of Haj, Interior and Foreign Affairs. This system covers the issuing of visas, the movement of pilgrims, accommodation, means of transport and other contractual obligations of Umrah companies. Companies that do not deliver on their promised services would be penalized, he said. This year, the ministry also requires all agents abroad to provide posters displaying the main features of their service packages. Hajjar said the General Union for Cars, under the supervision of the ministry, was ready to transport pilgrims. He urged Umrah companies to abide by the rules and regulations introduced for the upcoming season and get security permits from government agencies. Companies are also required to inform the ministry about any changes in their senior management by sending a letter to the ministry. It also has to provide full details of all its employees including those with criminal records and provide proof that all workers are covered by social insurance. The ministry has set up committees to evaluate the performance of Umrah companies. arabnews/news/479261
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 07:37:21 +0000
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