Two Umrah companies suspended due to violations related to the accommodation of Egyptian pilgrims
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced a firm decision to suspend two Umrah companies from operating, following the detection of serious violations that included failure to provide accommodation services for pilgrims coming from the Arab Republic of Egypt, in accordance with the previously approved contractual programs.
Details of the violation and immediate intervention
The Ministry clarified in its official statement that it had observed the arrival of a number of Egyptian pilgrims in the Holy Land without confirmed and actual accommodation reservations, despite these services being documented in their official contracts. This constitutes a clear violation of the regulations and instructions governing the Umrah sector and visits to the Prophet's Mosque.
In response to this situation, the Ministry acted immediately to address the crisis, securing suitable accommodation for all affected pilgrims to ensure their safety and comfort. It also confirmed that it is currently coordinating directly with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism to take all necessary regulatory and legal measures against the foreign agents who contracted with the two offending companies, to ensure that such violations are not repeated.
Regulatory context and protection of pilgrims' rights
This step comes as part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to regulate the Hajj and Umrah services market, with Saudi authorities imposing strict standards to ensure the quality of services provided to pilgrims. The Ministry, through its electronic platforms and monitoring systems, tracks the pilgrim's journey from visa issuance to departure, guaranteeing that they receive all their contractual rights.
This measure reflects the firmness with which the concerned authorities deal with any negligence that affects the comfort of pilgrims, as the contracts concluded between Umrah companies and pilgrims are considered legally and morally binding documents, and any breach of them warrants deterrent punishment, whether the fault is with the Saudi company or the foreign agent.
The event in the context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This measure cannot be separated from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , specifically the Guests of God Service Program, which aims to facilitate the hosting of pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques and provide them with the best possible services. The Vision aims to increase the capacity to receive 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030, a goal that requires a robust regulatory infrastructure that does not tolerate errors or fraud.
Maintaining the reputation of the Hajj and Umrah sector is a top priority for the Kingdom, and therefore such disciplinary decisions send a reassuring message to pilgrims around the world that their rights are protected, and that there is a vigilant regulatory body that intervenes immediately to protect them when needed.
A warning message to Umrah companies
The ministry concluded its statement by emphasizing that serving pilgrims is a red line that cannot be crossed, stressing that it will not tolerate any negligence. It called upon all companies and institutions operating in the sector to fully comply with regulations and instructions, and to provide services of a quality befitting the Kingdom's stature and the pilgrims visiting the Houses of God, in order to avoid penalties that could include the permanent revocation of licenses.
