JEDDAH: Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar confirmed that the number of Umrah
performers is expected to be consistent with the policy of the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, which allows Muslims from all over the world to perform
the pilgrimage.
In an exclusive interview, he said that the
e-track for Umrah performers has contributed to streamlining the
procedures to get visa and service packages. This initiative resulted in
an increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims to about six million last
year and a decrease in the number of overstayers to 0.1 percent.
Following are the excerpts of the interview:
Q:
The Umrah season has approached and the Kingdom has started receiving
pilgrims, so what are the preparations of the Ministry of Haj?
A:
We, the ministry staff and I, are pleased to welcome the Umrah pilgrims
from all over the world and wish them a happy stay in the Kingdom. We
are glad to provide them with all available services. The ministry’s
preparations start from the moment a pilgrim applies to perform Umrah in
his/her home country till their arrival and stay in Makkah, Madinah and
other holy places. The services continue until their departure for
their home countries. Our goal is to make the pilgrims’ trip outstanding
and memorable so that they act as the Kingdom’s ambassadors in their
countries to convey the achievements and aspirations of the Kingdom,
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, his government and the
citizens in serving the guests of Allah.
Q: You want the Umrah performer to be the Kingdom’s ambassador to his/her homeland and worldwide, how can you achieve this?
A:
It is the ministry’s vision to increase the level of services,
including reception, farewell, housing, transport and catering. The
ministry cooperates with the institutions that provide direct services
to the pilgrims and visitors with a view to building a hospitality
industry and related services, conforming to international standards,
while focusing on continuous training for all Haj and Umrah workers.
Companies and service providers play an active and effective role in
these areas. However, we always aspire to bring integration between the
support provided by the state in the form of projects and the level of
services provided by the private sector.
Q: Back to our first question about the logistics of the Ministry of Haj?
A:
The Umrah season begins on 1st Safar and ends on 15th Shawwal. The
ministry starts developing an operational master plan by the beginning
of Dul Qaada. The Umrah season this year is the fourth stage of
implementing the Umrah Performers Regulations issued by the Cabinet,
which starts in 1437 A.H. and ends in 1441 A.H. This season also
coincides with the resolution of the Cabinet dated 20/11/1435 A.H. on
the amendment of certain articles of Umrah Performers Regulations.
During the current year, all matters relating to determining the
locations of Umrah performers’ housing, room numbers, travel and
transport bookings to and from the Kingdom will be included in the Umrah
E-Track to be linked with the Automatic Reservation Program for hotels
and furnished apartments, which will be a condition for visas.
Q: When will the ministry open the door for licensing new Umrah service companies? How many companies will be licensed?
A:
The date and time to accept the applications will be announced shortly.
An electronic program has been developed, whereby the applicant for
license can enter all required particulars about himself and his/her
company, including the commercial registration, capital, number of
workers, experience and financial guarantee and other information.
Points will be granted per element of the required data. To ensure
transparency and clarity, applicants may review the points and degrees
obtained. As to the number of such companies, it is under consideration
and will take into account the company’s profitability and ability to
effectively render services.
Q: What are the most important conditions to be primarily met in order to qualify for Umrah company license?
A:
The company’s track record in the field, solvency and administrative
competence in addition to other conditions and requirements. Such
conditions are designed to ensure presence of financially and
administratively strong companies that in total can form the service
industry governed by international standards and operated by Saudi
manpower. The requirements will be posted in details.
Q: Saudi
Umrah companies have external agents and the Ministry of Haj is the
licensing authority thereof. What are the licensing conditions?
A:
There are currently 41 Saudi Umrah companies with 3,500 external agents
working in 81 countries. For license, the ministry stipulates that the
external agent should be licensed by a government authority at home,
member of IATA and produce a bank guarantee. Prior to licensing, it is
coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry is
currently preparing mechanisms to ensure increase in the level of
services provided by the Umrah travel agents and more transparency to
the Umrah performers themselves.
Q: It is said that external agents of Saudi Umrah companies collect additional amounts for visas, is this true?
A:
The embassies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia worldwide do not collect
any fees to issue Haj and Umrah visas. Such visas are granted to any
pilgrim or Umrah performer free of charge. The ministry posts this
announcement on the electronic portal in Arabic, English and French
languages through the communication center. Furthermore, there are clear
instructions to Umrah companies and their external agents in this
regard. In case any Umrah performer is asked to pay for the visa, he
should call the ministry at the toll-free number from within the Kingdom
or abroad.
Q: What is the number of Umrah program days?
A: The validity of the Umrah visa is one month and each Umrah company determines the number of program days.
Q:
What is the basis on which the visa allocation for each Umrah company
is determined? Why do some companies get more visas than the others?
A:
The number of visas per Umrah company is based on the average visas
obtained during the past years. Each company determines the number of
visas it needs through the programs it launches. If the Umrah performers
depart once their programs are completed, the company may obtain a
similar number of visas. However, if the Umrah performers overstay, the
company’s ability to get new visas is affected. Therefore, a compliant
company that operates in accordance with these instructions can obtain
the number of visas it wants.
Q: Following the completion of religious tourism programs, can the Umrah performer visit other cities in the Kingdom?
A:
I do not back the idea of calling Umrah as religious tourism. They
should be two separate activities. Umrah is a ritual and tourism is
something else. There is an agreement between the Ministry of Haj and
the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH), whereby
the pilgrim, following the completion of Umrah program, and through
companies licensed by the Commission for Tourism can make his/her
tourist program. Once the Umrah performer moves to the tourist company,
the responsibility of the Umrah company and the Ministry of Haj ends.
Q:
The numbers of overstaying Umrah performers are increasing year after
year. Why the ministry does not take more stringent measures to prevent
overstaying?
A: If we review the numbers of Umrah performers and
overstayers during the past ten years and their ratio, then your
statement is not accurate. In 1427 A.H., the number of Umrah performers
was less than three million and overstayers about 500,000. In 1436 A.H.,
the number was six million and overstayers about 6,000, i.e. 0.1%. The
ministry has taken stringent measures to eliminate overstaying. The
action includes suspension of more than 100 Umrah companies. For the
existing companies, in case the number of overstaying Umrah performers
reaches a certain figure, the e-system automatically suspends the
violating company until the situation is rectified. The Umrah companies
are compliant with the ministry’s instructions. The ministry looks
forward to eliminating the overstaying numbers by the Will of Allah.
Q: What is the deadline for Umrah performers to depart so that they are not deemed overstaying?
A: By the end of Dul Qaada.
Q:
Was the housing capacity in Makkah and Madinah affected by the
expansion projects at the Two Holy Sites? What are the actions taken?
A:
The Umrah performers housing sector in Madinah was affected by the
expansion projects, but the housing capacity in Makkah was not affected.
To address this exceptional situation, the ministry made a proposal
approved by the Cabinet whereby the Umrah performers are allowed to live
in the pilgrims’ designated housing in accordance with certain
limitations. The proposal led to increase the housing capacity in both
Makkah and Madinah and also to price stability due to the balance
created between supply and demand. The proposal has also given the
opportunity to the owners of housing licensed by the Haj Housing
Inspection Committee to have their housing registered in the Umrah
e-track to be used for Umrah performers. The SCTNH is the competent
authority. The owners are required to visit the commission for
classification. Making the possible minimum classification is among
other necessary requirements for accommodating Umrah performers in
addition to the operational and constructional safety requirements. The
proposal has also provided for the implementation of the procedures
through the e-link between the Ministry of Haj, SCTNH, General
Directorate of Civil Defense and the Pilgrims Housing Inspection
Committee in order to cut short the period for issuing and renewing
licenses.
Q: Roughly speaking, how many buildings designated for pilgrims’ housing will be allowed to house Umrah performers?
A:
In Makkah around 6,000 and in Madinah around 1000 housing units will be
licensed to house Umrah performers. This will achieve good returns for
investment throughout the year for the owners because the units will be
used in both Haj and Umrah seasons. At the same time, this will increase
the capacity of the Two Holy Cities and will allow more Muslims to
perform Umrah. The Kingdom is very interested in meeting the wishes of
Muslims of the world.
Q: The greeting programs to welcome the
pilgrims were met with acceptance and acclaim by the pilgrims. The media
showed touching footages full of tears of happiness and joy. Why these
programs are not continued during Umrah seasons?
A: The ministry
launched the greetings program to welcome the pilgrims upon arrival and
departure. The program includes welcoming the pilgrims at airports,
buses and field service offices. The reception includes giving gifts,
flowers and chants as an expression of joy and happiness of Saudi
citizens’ at the arrival of pilgrims and Umrah performers.
Q: There
are citizens other than professionals to look forward to serving the
Pilgrims. Does the ministry has a vision to provide them an opportunity?
A:
Yes, the ministry has established the “Piligrims, Umrah Performers and
Visitors Friends Unit”, which is designed to attract volunteers from
different academic, age and professional segments to take part in
serving the pilgrims under certain conditions, various plans and
programs developed by the Unit Officials.
Q: Last word to close the interview.
A:
Among the blessings of Allah to this country is the leadership that
rules in the light of the Holy Qur’an and is guided by the Sunnah of
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Following in the footsteps of the
founder of this country, the late King Abdulaziz, our leaders have made
Haj and Umrah their top priority, deploying all potentials and resources
for the pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors to perform the rituals
in tranquility, assurance and peace of mind.
Article by: arabnews.com
