New Umrah program to boost pilgrim experience

The program supports service providers, encouraging companies to adopt professional destination management and trip organization. (SPA)
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Updated 20 August 2024
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New Umrah program to boost pilgrim experience

  • Initiative ensures top-quality services without intermediaries

RIYADH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the Direct Umrah Program, which allows companies to serve pilgrims directly, ensuring high-quality standards without intermediaries.

The aim is to enhance pilgrims’ experiences through visits to historical sites linked to the Prophet’s life and discovering the Kingdom’s attractions.

The program supports service providers, encouraging companies to adopt professional destination management and trip organization, after 13.5 million pilgrims were recorded in 2023.

HIGHLIGHT

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah held the second Umrah organizations’ gathering in Makkah to address challenges and propose solutions to ensure top-quality services and introduce companies to new tools and indicators for monitoring performance.

In collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program, part of Saudi Vision 2030, the ministry held the second Umrah organizations’ gathering in Makkah, led by Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.

This meeting aligned with the ministry’s strategy to enhance the Umrah experience and empower the private sector to provide services year-round, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It also streamlines procedures and enforces commitment and compliance standards throughout the Umrah journey.

The meeting addressed challenges and proposed solutions to ensure top-quality services, introducing companies to new tools and indicators for monitoring performance. It also discussed strategic directions for the Umrah season and launched innovative services.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to enhance Umrah services, with the intention each year to welcome more pilgrims and provide a rich, unique faith journey in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

 


Saudi foreign ministry welcomes second phase of Gaza peace plan, formation of transitional committee

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Saudi foreign ministry welcomes second phase of Gaza peace plan, formation of transitional committee

  • Ministry also thanked US President Donald Trump for his leadership and efforts to end the war in Gaza

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday welcomed the announcement of the second phase of a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministry said it also welcomed the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip as a temporary transitional body, established under UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which met in Cairo on Friday.

In a statement, the ministry also thanked US President Donald Trump, who declared the formation of the Gaza “board of peace,” for his leadership and efforts to end the war in Gaza.

It highlighted his commitment to the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the prevention of any annexation of parts of the West Bank, and efforts to advance sustainable peace in the region.

The ministry commended the role of mediators Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye, stressing the importance of international and regional cooperation in supporting the peace process.

It underlined the need to support the work of the temporary Palestinian National Committee in managing the daily affairs of Gaza’s residents, while preserving the institutional and geographical link between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, ensuring Gaza’s unity and rejecting any attempts to divide it.

The statement also called for consolidating the ceasefire, halting violations, ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and accelerating early recovery and reconstruction efforts across Gaza.

It said these steps were essential to enabling the Palestinian National Authority to resume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in Gaza and the West Bank and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the two-state solution.