A good number of Pilgrims who have completed the registration process under different private hajj agencies are facing uncertainty to go to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj due to those agencies' negligence.
In a bid to alleviate the growing anxiety among Hajj pilgrims, the Religious Affairs Ministry has issued a notification instructing 609 Hajj agencies to expedite the visa issuance process.
Among these agencies, 355 have failed to apply for Hajj pilgrims' visas, causing distress among the affected pilgrims. Till now, around 100 hajj agencies have been asked by the ministry to show cause why they have failed to arrange visas for their respective pilgrims.
According to the notification released on Tuesday, June 13, despite having registered pilgrims and obtained their Personal Identification (PID) information, a significant number of Hajj agencies have neglected to apply for visas through the Saudi e-Visa system. This oversight has resulted in considerable apprehension among the pilgrims, as the failure to obtain visas poses a substantial obstacle to their pilgrimage plans.
To address the issue promptly, the Ministry has set a deadline of June 13 for the Hajj agencies to complete the visa process. Failure to comply with this directive may result in administrative action being taken against the non-compliant agencies, in accordance with the Hajj and Umrah Management Act 2021.
With this development, pilgrims are hopeful that the timely intervention by the ministry will help resolve the visa-related concerns before the Hajj flights conclude on June 22. As of now, 76,940 pilgrims have already reached Saudi Arabia, and a total of 112,148 visas have been issued.
The Ministry's proactive steps aim to ensure a smooth and well-managed Hajj pilgrimage experience for all participants. It is expected that the Hajj agencies will take immediate action to fulfill their responsibilities, facilitating the visa issuance process and easing the anxiety of the affected pilgrims.
As the deadline approaches, both the ministry and the Hajj agencies are working diligently to rectify the situation, recognizing the significance of the Hajj pilgrimage and the importance of providing a seamless experience for all pilgrims involved.
