Makkah News and Updates

1 January 2014

The Haj Ministry says foreign agents are to blame for various fraudulent practices including pilgrims overstaying in the Kingdom by giving visas to the wives of workers here and young men seeking jobs.

Abdullah Al-Qadi, vice chairman of the ministry’s national Haj and Umrah committee, said foreign agents also sell packages that they could not deliver.
“Some of these agencies also do not clarify what services they offer, including the location of hotels, proximity to the Grand Mosque, and the availability of separate toilets and rooms,” said Al-Qadi.

He said several of these agents also change the arrival dates of their groups without informing their Saudi counterparts in the Kingdom, causing a great deal of confusion.

“The main reason for pilgrims overstaying is that foreign agents do not enforce measures that ensure this will not happen,” said Al-Qadi.
He said agents provide Umrah visas to women whose husbands work in the Kingdom knowing that they would stay. “Some also give visas to young men seeking work in the Kingdom.”

In a statement issued recently, the Haj Ministry warned foreign Haj and Umrah agents that they would be banned if more than 1 percent of their incoming pilgrims stayed over in the Kingdom.

Adnan Hariri, director general for Umrah affairs at the ministry, said foreign agents found violating regulations would not be given Umrah visas. He said the ministry has offices in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah where pilgrims can complain about services.

He said the ministry would not process the paperwork of agents unless they can confirm their contracts abroad. He rejected reports that the Kingdom’s embassies charge for visas.

He said a study conducted by government bodies showed that overstaying had decreased from 25 percent in 2001 to 0.12 percent currently.
“Since this system was applied 13 years ago, the ratio has decreased significantly,” he said.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/501711

1 January 2014

Several residents living in the Kingdom claim to have celebrated New Year’s ahead of time and privately to avoid strict monitoring from the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia).

The commission had warned the public against celebrating New Year, a local newspaper said.

According to the report, the commission has based its warning on a religious decree issued by the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars banning such celebrations.

“New Year’s Eve in the Kingdom is just like any other ordinary day,” said an Italian teacher living in the Kingdom, who wished to remain anonymous.

She said, “In Italy, we have family and friends get together for a huge feast. Then there’s an amusing sight of fireworks at midnight to mark the beginning of the new year.

“We also have public parties and the streets are so lively, just like how the Eid festival is celebrated here.”

She said that some of her friends living in her building organized a private party at their compound ahead of the new year due to strict monitoring by the Haia in public areas.

Shanaz Hashmi, a British-Pakistani expatriate living and working in the Kingdom, said that she celebrated the New Year earlier to avoid trouble with the Haia.

“We expected that the Haia would raid public places. So we decided to get together at an early date for a small private celebration among family and friends,” she said.

Haia warned that punitive measures would be taken against those who celebrate the New Year publicly. The religious group said it has dispatched its members across the Kingdom to put off public celebrations on New Year, adding that they would not raid houses.

It also warned all shops against selling ornaments that “symbolize or reflect” New Year merriment, adding that violators would be penalized as per the ruling and that their items would be confiscated.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/501771 1 January 2014

The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia) is considering shortening the time shops close for prayer, the Haia chief has said.

The period would be limited to just enough time for ablution and the actual time needed to complete a prayer, said Sheikh Abdullateef Al-Asheikh in the interview broadcast on an Arabic channel on Monday. “We would need the legislature to pass the proposed policy,” he said.

The Haia staff would do random inspections in malls to make sure people follow the new policy. He said Haia members would not chase people to pray.
“It is acceptable to perform prayers in a mall or shop in a group if the mosque is far away,” he said.

Shops across Saudi Arabia are required to close from the time of the call to prayer until the prayer is finished, which could take up to 30 minutes.

During the 35-minute TV program, Al-Asheikh toured a Riyadh shopping mall and interacted with shoppers and shopkeepers to get first-hand experience from people on the performance of his organization.

The chief said he would like his organization to do its job as envisaged by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah “with moderate and tolerant views, and avoiding hurting the feelings of the public.”

Al-Asheikh took office two years ago with a mission to improve the image of the Haia and clear away decades of public distrust and contempt.

He has revamped the Haia's administrative and field operations to regain public trust. “It was an uphill task and resistance to change was expected,” he said.

Many of the old guard lost their privileges “as I stopped accepting donations to the Haia from private businesses,” he said.

Al-Asheikh said there were staff members who wanted the Haia to take an extremist view to serve their personal interests and ideological beliefs. “I will continue with the most moderate and tolerant view to lead this organization," he said.

He said he was not bothered by foreign media calling the organization the religious police.

“We look at a set of principles to follow within the teachings of Islamic Shariah. Let them call us whatever they want,” he said. The Haia has a mission to respect people, protect them, and keep women safe from harassment, he said.

The foreign media has tried to depict the Haia as a monster “but every country has rules and systems on which it operates. The Haia doesn’t block social movement as long as it doesn’t contradict our religion and culture,” he said.

Al-Asheikh said he upheld his promise to reform the organization. “I was once on an unannounced visit to a mall and found a Haia member not displaying his badge. I asked him to leave the mall immediately,” he said.

Shoppers in the mall asked him to employ more friendly Haia members. “We feel safe with them around us,” one woman shopper told Al-Asheikh.

During his tour of the mall, he stepped into an all-female shop, but to his surprise found a salesman. “We completely support women working in women-related shops, but in a case like this, we'll give them a chance to bring in a saleswoman,” he said.

In another women’s shop, he interacted with a saleswoman who said she appreciated the Haia’s mission and the professional treatment and respect of her shop-owner.

He reiterated that the Haia staff members are not allowed to check people’s cell phones unless they suspect of being involved in harassment, drinking alcohol or drug dealing.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/501741

2 January 2014

The vision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to revamp the education system and create skilled future generations would be realized, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the newly appointed education minister, said in a statement.

Prince Khaled said the Education Ministry’s Tatweer development project would fulfill the objectives of ensuring the “child of today becomes the strong and honest man of tomorrow. We will do whatever it takes to make it happen,” he said.

The statement, carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday, was issued after Prince Khaled had a meeting at his office with Sheikh Abdullateef Al-Asheikh, the chief of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia), who had visited to wish him well.

“We are all responsible for education and every official in this country should contribute to education reform,” Prince Khaled said.

“Education should be our shared project to help raise a generation able to compete in the production of knowledge in all disciplines,” he told the Haia chief, the statement said.

Prince Khaled said Saudi pride is built on Islamic law, on which the late King Abdulaziz established modern Saudi Arabia.

He pledged his support for the Haia and praised it for reminding the masses of their religious duties and Prophet Muhammad’s teachings.

“Just like some insiders tarnished the reputation of the Haia, Islam itself was defamed by those who created wars in its name,” he said.

Al-Asheikh thanked Prince Khaled for his support, saying that “we will be the biggest supporter of your enormous task to fulfill the nation’s future hopes in education.”

In an earlier meeting on Wednesday with Riyadh Gov. Prince Khaled Bin Bandar, the new minister said that “future projects will pave the way for a major overhaul of education systems and our job is to work on this with patience, team spirit, and in partnership with all government agencies.”

The priority is effective management to improve teacher performance and the work environment, he said.

Bloggers on social networks said that the understanding between the two moderate leaders raises hopes of a better future alliance between the education ministry and the Haia.

Commenting on the news, Abu Yara said: “It is important to rid education of extremists with radical views and organized affiliations, which have intruded onto the true and authentic domain of Islamic Shariah.”

He urged officials to introduce a more moderate and tolerant education system inspired by the companions and followers of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Abu Jameel said: “I’m really glad to see this harmony between the two faces of moderation in the country.”

A blogger named Mersal Al-Madina said: “We are looking forward to a distinguished, fair and pioneering era of education during Prince Khaled’s term.”

http://www.arabnews.com/news/502276

2 January 2014

The Kingdom has issued 516,000 Umrah visas so far and 217,564 pilgrims have already entered the Kingdom to perform Umrah, announced the Haj Ministry.

Speaking with Arab News, Haj Ministry spokesperson Ali Al-Ghamdi said that the ministry is using the electronic services to facilitate better services for the incoming Umrah pilgrims and to process their visas.

He said that initially there were very few requests to use the services but now the figure has risen dramatically. He said that 45,000 pilgrims from different countries had left the Kingdom after performing Umrah. “The ministry is constantly monitoring the Umrah packages that service operators are offering to pilgrims through the electronic system,” he said.

Al-Ghamdi said that the ministry is also crosschecking the accommodation and service contracts prior to the pilgrims’ arrival to the Kingdom.

He said that the ministry is intending to reach Muslims across the globe through its web portal www.haj.gov.sa which is offering information in seven languages including Urdu to reach the vast number of South Asian pilgrims.

The Web portal provides detailed information on the package, and guides pilgrims on how to complete their rituals. He said that the pilgrims’ information is integrated with the National Information Center of the Ministry of Interior which is the prime body of data collection.

Al-Ghamdi also informed that the Haj Ministry is working closely with other ministries on the development of the public transport system in Makkah and Madinah to facilitate the movement of pilgrims in the holy cities as per the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

The official said that the ministry is constantly following up with the expansion and the upgrading of projects such as the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport at Madinah and the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

The ministry is also coordinating to have state-of-the-art facilities including equipment to service the pilgrims at the two airports.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/502206

2 January 2014

The conference on Women’s Rights in Islam organized by the Taibah University — which concluded in Madinah on Wednesday — stressed the need for opening up job fields that can be undertaken by women in their homes and which can guarantee large-scale employment of women.

The conference recommended setting up consultant offices for women with female experts on Islamic Shariah and family counseling.

The conference also recommended consultancy bureaus in law courts and settling of women’s issues based on the principles of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him.)

It also recommended a follow up for the implementation of the conference’s recommendations. Another recommendation was to support the Islamic stand on honoring women and treating them with respect. In addition, it was suggested that Muslims should view women’s rights as an obligation on the part of a Muslim.

The conference recommended the need to spread a culture of granting women their legal rights and simplifying the legal procedures in courts on women’s issues besides a speedy disposal of their cases.

The recommendations included preparing periodic statistics on women’s deprivation of their rights to explore the depth of the issue in addition to preparing studies on the real state of women in the Kingdom.

The conference also recommended the setting up of a commission to monitor the news in the international media and on forums on women’s rights and adopt what is beneficial to women and in compliance with Islamic values.
Taibah University organized the conference as part of the celebrations of Madinah being declared as the cultural capital of Islam for the year 2013.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/502246
http://www.taibanews.com/inf/news.ph...=show&id=23267

1 January 2014

كشف لـ «عكاظ» الأستاذ المساعد بقسم البحوث العمرانية والهندسية بمعهد خادم الحرمين الشريفين لأبحاث الحج والعمرة الدكتور هتان أيوب فلمبان عن الانتهاء من دراسة أوضاع مكيفات مخيمات الحجاج في مشعر منى بالتنسيق مع وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية ووزارة المالية لإيجاد الحلول المناسبة والبدائل التى تتناسب مع طقس مشعر منى خلال مواسم الحج القادمة. وقال الدكتور هتان إنه تم الانتهاء من دراسة نحو 45 ألف مكيف في مخيمات مشعر منى وطرح العديد من التوصيات والبدائل المناسبة التى سوف يتم الرفع بها الى الجهات ذات العلاقة والاختصاص لاعتمادها وتنفيذها سعيا من حكومة خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز الاستفادة منها خلال موسم الحج المقبل.

وبين الدكتور هتان أن اللجنة المتخصصة بدراسة أوضاع مكيفات مخيمات مشعر منى في معهد خادم الحرمين الشريفين لأبحاث الحج والعمرة تسعى حاليا لوضع اللمسات الأخيرة والنهائية في إعداد وكتابة التوصيات التى خرجت بها بعد دراسة عميقة استمرت عده شهور وضعت ودرست كل البدائل والحلول حتى خرجت بعدد من التوصيات التى تراها مناسبة وسوف يعلن عنها قريبا. وأبدى الدكتور هتان أيوب فلمبان ارتياحه الشديد من تلك التوصيات وما تضمنته من حلول ايجابية وسريعة لأوضاع المكيفات في مخيمات الحجاج في مشعر منى، وقال «تأتي هذه الدراسة كضرورة في هذه المرحلة للبحث في معهد خادم الحرمين الشريفين لأبحاث الحج والعمرة وهي الجهة المتمكنة عن حلول وآليات وسبل جديدة تكفل تطوير أداء العمل في تلك المكيفات، بهدف ضمان العمل بشكل أفضل».

ومن جانب آخر أكد الدكتور فلمبان السعي لتحقيقِ رؤية خادم الحرمين الشريفين لبناء مدينة متكاملة في مشعر منى، ضمن منظومة كاملة من الخدمات لحجاج بيت الله الحرام، وتأسيس البنية التحتية في المشاعر المقدسة التي تمكن الحكومة الرشيدة من خدمة ضيوف بيت الله الحرام بأكمل وجه.

http://www.okaz.com.sa/new/Issues/20...0101666367.htm

Google translation: 1 January 2014

Detection for « Okaz » Assistant Professor, Department research Urban and Engineering Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj Research and Umrah Dr. Hattan Ayoub Filimban for the completion of the study conditions conditioners camps of pilgrims in Mina , in coordination with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Finance to find appropriate solutions and alternatives that are commensurate with the weather Hairy Mona during the pilgrimage seasons to come. Dr Hattan had been completed a study about 45 thousand conditioner in camps Mina and put many of the recommendations and appropriate alternatives that will be uploaded them to the relevant authorities and competence for the adoption and implementation of an effort by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to take advantage of them during the next pilgrimage season .

And between Dr. Hattan that the Ad Hoc Committee to study the situation conditioners camps in Mina at the Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj Research and Umrah is currently seeking to finalize the final in the preparation and writing of the recommendations that came out after a deep study lasted for several months and has developed and studied all the alternatives and solutions to even out a number of recommendations , which deems appropriate and will be announced soon . He Dr Hattan Ayoub Filimban satisfaction severe than those recommendations , and its contents of positive solutions and fast modes of air conditioners in the camps of pilgrims in Mina , he said, « This study is a necessity at this stage of the research at the Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj Research and Umrah , the body empowered solutions and mechanisms and ways to ensure the development of new performance work in those air conditioners , in order to ensure that work better » .

On the other hand , Dr. Filimban pursuit of the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to build an integrated city in Mina , within the whole system of services to the pilgrims , and the establishment of infrastructure in the holy sites which enables the wise government of Service Guests House of God fullest .

2 January 2014

في وقت تتسارع الخطى لتنفيذ أكبر توسعة للمسجد النبوي الشريف، يتابع أهالي المدينة المنورة باهتمام كبير عجلة التحدي لمسابقة الزمن في تنفيذ المشروع الضخم، والذي يوفر المزيد من الخدمات لزوار المسجد النبوي الشريف، سواء القادمين من خارج المملكة أو من زوار الداخل.

ويتفاءل الكثيرون بأن تتضح معالم المشروع خلال الأشهر المرتقبة، لتعكس عجلة التنمية التي تحرص عليها حكومة خادم الحرمين الشريفين لتوفير كل ما من شأنه توفير الراحة والسلامة لضيوف الرحمن وزوار المسجد النبوي الشريف.

وأوضح الشيخ عبدالواحد الحطاب مدير العلاقات والإعلام في وكالة شؤون المسجد النبوي الشريف أنه تجري الآن على قدم وساق أعمال الإزالة لصالح المشروع من جهته الشرقية والتي أنهت ما يقارب 80% من أعمال إزالة المباني، ثم الانتقال إلى الجهة الشمالية والغربية حتى تكتمل مراحل الإزالة الثلاث من أجل مشروع التوسعة الكبرى للمسجد النبوي الشريف والذي سيكون على مساحة مليون و20 ألفا و500 متر مربع بالبناء المسقوف والساحات بحيث تستوعب التوسعة في حال اكتمالها مليونا وستمائة ألف مصل.

وأضاف الشيخ الحطاب إن هذه التوسعة المباركة والكبرى ستساهم في خدمة زوار المسجد النبوي وتساعد في راحتهم وتوضح مدى ما تلقاه الأماكن المقدسة من اهتمام ورعاية من قبل حكومة خادم الحرمين الشريفين حفظه الله.

وأكد مدير فرع وزارة الحج بالمدينة المنورة محمد البيجاوي أن قطاع الحج والعمرة في المدينة المنورة يشهد اهتماما كبيرا من قبل ولاة الأمر حفظهم الله وليس أدل إلا هذه المدينة الكبرى للحجاج التي أمر خادم الحرمين الشريفين حفظه الله، بإنشائها بالمدينة المنورة على مساحة 1.6 مليون متر مربع لتستوعب 200 ألف حاج، ويحتوي مشروع هذه المدينة على فنادق ودور إيواء لاستيعاب شرائح متعددة من النزلاء إضافة إلى محطة للنقل والقطار ومقرات للجهات المساندة ومستشفى بسعة 400 سرير والتي سوف تكون بإذن الله نقلة نوعية كبيرة في خدمة ضيوف الرحمن في الحج والعمرة في طيبة الطيبة، مشيرا إلى أن هذه المدينة ستكون عاملا مهما وقويا في تحسين ظروف الحج والعمرة.

http://www.okaz.com.sa/new/Issues/20...0102666547.htm

Google translation: 2 January 2014

At the time of accelerating the pace of implementation of the largest expansion of the Prophet's Mosque , following the people of Medina with great interest wheel challenge to contest time in the implementation of the massive project , which provides more services for visitors to the Prophet's Mosque , both coming from outside the UK or from visitors inside.

And many are optimistic that the project to take shape during the upcoming months , to reflect the wheel of development that ensures the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to provide everything that would provide comfort and safety for the pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque .

According to Sheikh Abdul Wahid woodcutter relations director and media in agency affairs of the Prophet's Mosque that take place now in full swing clearance work for the benefit of the project from the east of that ended nearly 80 % of the removal of the buildings , then move to the north and west to complete the stages of the removal of the three in order to major expansion project for the Prophet's Mosque , which will be an area of ​​1.00002 million and 500 thousand square meters and the building roofed arenas to accommodate expansion in the event of completeness million six hundred thousand worshipers .

He added that Sheikh woodcutter this major expansion of the blessed and will contribute to service visitors to the Prophet's Mosque in comfort and helps illustrate the extent to which he received the holy places of care and attention by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques .

The director of the branch of the Ministry of Hajj Medina Mohammed Albejaoa sector Hajj and Umrah in Medina witnessed great interest by the rulers, may Allah not least , but this big city for pilgrims , which is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques , created the city of Medina on an area of ​​1.6 million square meters to accommodate 200 thousand pilgrims , and has a project of this city on hotels and shelters to accommodate multiple slices of guests in addition to the station for transport and the train and the headquarters of the points of support and a hospital with a capacity of 400 beds , which will be , God willing, a major paradigm shift in the service of the pilgrims in the Hajj and Umrah in the good kind , referring to the that this city will be an important factor and a strong improvement in the conditions of Hajj and Umrah .

3 January 2014

The Ministry of Haj’s Umrah affairs administration has announced that it now processes all local organizations’ contracts with foreign agents electronically.

Pilgrims have been arriving for Umrah since the beginning of December or the start of the Hijri month of Safar.

Adnan bin Mohammed Hariri, director of administration, said the department starts processing all documentation at the start of every year.

The department receives requests from local Umrah organizations electronically, and gives them the green light to start contracting with external agents. The ministry would then issue visas to approved external agents.

He denied that the Kingdom, represented by its embassies abroad, was charging fees for issuing Umrah visas.

He said that in the past, some companies outside the Kingdom organized Umrah trips and programs without the supervision of the Haj Ministry. In these cases, pilgrims suffered because these operators charged exorbitant prices and did not provide proper housing.

This had prompted the ministry to draft new Umrah regulations. After a comprehensive study by government agencies, it was found that 25 percent of pilgrims overstayed their visas in 2001. The government has reduced this to 0.17 percent, he said.

“Since these regulations took effect 13 years ago, the number of overstaying cases has decreased significantly, especially since the Kingdom has invested large sums of money to improve services for pilgrims.” He said the new measures include better reception and transport services, improved hotel accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, ensuring the implementation of agreed service packages, and punishing negligent host institutions.

He said the ministry will not issue any visas to foreign agents that had more than 1 percent of their pilgrims overstaying their visas. The ministry will reinstate them if they resolve these issues. He said pilgrims could file service complaints at the ministry’s branches in Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah.

He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for supporting and overseeing the development of Umrah services in the country.

Hariri said there are currently 48 authorized Umrah organizations in the Kingdom. Each year, the ministry licenses new companies that have the equipment and capability.

The Haj ministry has a company called “Tasheel” that is authorized to monitor the services of the internal Umrah companies and organizations, including those providing transport and housing services. The ministry also has service centers around the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to resolve any problems faced by pilgrims, he said.

He said the ministry would increase the number of pilgrims allowed into the country for Haj, Umrah and Ramadan once contractors complete the expansion of the two holy mosques.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/502771

 

5,800 buildings to make way
for Grand Mosque expansion

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
December 15, 2013

More flexible than the haj ritual, umrah enables pilgrims to visit more places during one trip.

Umrah has become a lucrative business over the past few years. According to the Religious Affairs Ministry’s directorate general for haj and umrah, Indonesia recorded around 500,000 people visiting Mecca for umrah in 2012. It was quite a leap compared to about 150,000 in 2009.

Ijun from AMI Tour, a travel agency, said the number of pilgrims peaked in February and March as the months generally had the most favorable weather of the year.

“On average, we send about 1,500 pilgrims for minor pilgrimages per year. The trip usually starts in January until the start of Ramadhan,” Ijun told The Jakarta Post.

Ijun’s office offers various umrah packages, starting from around US$1,800 to $2,600 per person. Each package’s time period also varies from nine to 15 days.

“Most of our clients prefer traveling between February and March as the weather is comfortable and for us, the visa application process is more certain from the Saudi Arabia Embassy when compared to trips in January, which is the opening of the umrah season,” said Ijun, adding that January’s weather was too cold for most Indonesians.

Umrah is a religious trip that can be performed throughout the year. It isn’t compulsory but is highly
recommended and it can be done once or more.

Haj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is mandatory for Muslims as long as he or she is physically and financially able to do so. During haj, a pilgrim can also conduct umrah.

Umrah is essentially a series of Islamic rituals that include ihram (a state of purity and holiness), tawaf (circumambulating the Kaaba seven times), sa’i (a ritual walk from the Al-Safa and Al-Marwah mountains) and tahallul (hair cutting to symbolize the end of ihram). The rituals symbolize the life of Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham, and his wife, Hajar, as well as solidarity among Muslims in the world.

AMI Tour offers two types of regular umrah — each for nine days, which will begin on Dec. 24 and Jan. 1, 2014, respectively.

Each trip usually covers umrah rituals in Mecca and visits to other sacred sites like Jabal Tsur, Arafah, Jabal Rahmah and Jabal Nur Mountain.

Besides some fixed and regular arrangements, Ijun said his office was open for custom arrangements in terms of minor pilgrimages, or more popular arrangements such as umrah by request.

“We can also arrange special packages, at least for a seven-day trip,” he said, adding that such arrangements would cost at least $2,000 per person.

Patuna Tours and Travel said it could provide clients with a five-day trip for umrah, or even a three-day tour.

“Everything is possible. For the five-day trip, a client can have a day in Medina and two days in Mecca, while the remaining days are for traveling,” said Patuna’s president director Syam Resfiadi. “As for the three-day trip, a client can have one day each for Medina and Mecca. We can arrange for a first-class ticket as well as a limousine ride for each customized package.”

For the five-day trip, the agency has set a price of between $3,500 and $4,000. Meanwhile, for the three-day tour, it costs around $3,100 — mainly depending on which type of hotel a client prefers.

Syam, however, said umrah by request was less favorable.

Evita Megawati Marpaung of HTK Tour said the increasing number of umrah requests mostly came from the middle-aged who could not wait for too long for haj.

For safety reasons, the Saudi Arabian government has applied a quota for each country in sending pilgrims. Indonesia used to have a quota of 211,000 people a year. However, due to a major renovation in Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, the Saudi government has reduced the quota to 168,000 starting from this year.

“Nobody knows how long he or she will stay. Most middle-aged clients choose umrah to just at least visit Mecca,” she said.

HTK Tour values each of its umrah packages from $2,100 to $3,850.

As a comparison, the cost of a regular haj package in 2013 is around $5,350, while a premium package costs at least $8,000.

Indonesian Association of Haj and Umrah Private Operators (Himpuh) secretary-general Muharram Ahmad said the quota for umrah had also been reduced to about 50 percent this year, despite the high demand.

The Religious Affairs Ministry directorate general for haj and umrah reportedly predicted a surge of up to one million umrah pilgrims in 2013.

“Due to the cut, we will probably record only half of the prediction. As of early December, we have about 400,000 pilgrims for umrah,” explained Muharram.

For arranging umrah trips, Muharram suggested pilgrim candidates use licensed travel agents.

“Going on umrah without arranging with licensed operators may lead to people being vulnerable to fraud,” he added, referring to some 250 licensed haj and umrah operators.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...s-holiday.html

December 29, 2013

LAHORE - Pakistan International Airlines has again raised Umrah fare by 33 percent, some 20 days after announcing a hike in the overall fare, sources in the national flag carrier said on Saturday.

The fresh hike in Umrah fare has left travel agents and Umrah pilgrims vexed and annoyed since many of them had ended up making deals as per the fare announced 20 days ago by PIA.

A number of travel agents had received token money from Umrah pilgrims against the low fare, but when they contacted the airlines management for reservation of tickets they were told the fare had been increased.

According to a travel agent, PIA had set price for a return ticket for Umrah for Rs47,645, but two days ago it was jacked up to Rs65,000.

“We are in an embarrassing situation after the increase in Umrah fare without any prior notice,” said the agent who wished not to be named.

An Umrah pilgrim said the hike was an extra burden on inflation-stricken masses. He regretted that PIA was offering promotional packages on other sectors, like America and Europe, but not on the Saudi Arabian sector.

It may be mentioned here that other countries, even the Indian government, offer Umrah pilgrims subsidy on fare.

When contacted spokesperson for PIA said the airline did not increase fare for Umrah, rather it was a sequence of the fare table that those passengers who had earlier obtained their tickets were entertained in low fare classes. But now when good number of Umrah pilgrims has been entertained, seats in low fare classes have been ended and passengers would have to go for a high fare class, naturally.

Flight left 15 pilgrims behind

A Shaheen Airlines flight departed on Saturday from Allama Iqbal International Airport without 15 passengers having confirmed tickets.

An aviation staff said that tickets were issued to 385 Umrah passengers on a Shaheen airlines flight having the capacity of 370 passengers.

When the flight left, the 15 passengers protested at the airport against the airlines management. But the management said overbooking was committed by travel agents and not by the airline.

http://www.nation.com.pk/national/29...-by-33-percent