Umrah tours from Qatar to Saudi Arabia resume starting today: Ministry official
Licensed Umrah tour operators have resumed arranging Umrah tours for pilgrims, including expatriates, from Qatar to Saudi Arabia.
Head of Haj and Umrah Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) Ali Sultan Al Misifiri said, “The Umrah tour operators licensed by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs are allowed to arrange Umrah trips.
“Indeed, some tour operators arranged trips for pilgrims including expatriates residing in Qatar, according to the requirements by Saudi authorities,” he added.
Al Misifiri explained that a hotline (132) has been launched by the Ministry to answer questions related to the Umrah tours being conducted for pilgrims.
He pointed out that expatriates are allowed to go on Umrah pilgrimage only through authorized Umrah tour operators who are responsible to get the issuance of visas, obtain permission and follow other procedures required.
He noted that Umrah pilgrims inside Saudi Arabia should register on the Muqeem portal as well as the 'Tawakkalna' and 'Eatmarna' apps.
The pilgrim will then proceed to the Enaya office to obtain an e-bracelet, which will grant him authorization to do the Umrah trip and offer prayer five times in Masjid Al Haram, popularly known as the Great Mosque of Makkah.
Furthermore, Enaya offices are located in ten hotels in Makkah to assist travelers. “The latest procedures for pilgrims are registering on ‘Muqeem’ portal and ‘Tawakkalna’ and Eatmarna apps. So far, these are the procedures that we have been informed by the Saudi authorities,” said Al Misifiri.
Highlighting the difference between the Muqeem portal and the Tawakkalna app, he explained that the Muqeem portal will contain information related to COVID-19 such as type of vaccine, numbers of does, and relevant dates.
On the other hand, the Tawakkalna app will act similarly to the Ehteraz app in Qatar, indicating the health status of a person. This will be required when entering public places such as hotels.
Al Misifiri stated that pilgrims will be required to present their Tawakkalna status at the entrance to the Masjid Al Haram.
For more information on the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, kindly visit their Twitter account.
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Allow by Road or only by air?
AlhamdhulilAllah Rabbul Aalameen