Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent for violations

More than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during Jumada Al Akhira alone. (SPA)
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Updated 29 December 2025
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Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent for violations

  • Company fails to provide housing for Umrah pilgrims
  • Actions to ‘safeguard’ rights of visitors, says ministry

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday announced the suspension of an Umrah company and its overseas agent for failing to provide contracted accommodation for pilgrims.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the company violated regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques.

It noted that several pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without mandated accommodation. This prompted immediate action against the company and its overseas agent, the ministry stated.




Pilgrims circumambulate the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in this photo taken earlier this month. (SPA)

“The measures are intended to safeguard the rights of affected pilgrims, prevent a recurrence of such violations, and ensure the continued enhancement of service quality,” it added.

Last June, the ministry suspended seven Umrah companies due to deficiencies in providing transport services for pilgrims.

In an earlier report quoting the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, the SPA said more than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during the month of Jumada Al-Akhirah, corresponding to Nov. 22 to Dec. 20.

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

Updated 16 January 2026
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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.