Al-Fatah Travel & Tours’ Post

The Makkah Route Initiative, initially launched in 2019 and previously available only at Islamabad airport, will now also be accessible from Karachi airport. This expansion will benefit over 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims during this year’s Hajj, significantly streamlining their entry process into Saudi Arabia by allowing them to complete immigration procedures before departure. This year, 41,000 of these pilgrims are participating through the government's Hajj scheme, while 24,000 are using private tour operators. Saudi Arabia has also restored Pakistan’s full pre-pandemic Hajj quota and removed the upper age limit for pilgrims. Additionally, Pakistan is reducing Hajj expenses by Rs100,000 from last year and offering shorter pilgrimage options for an extra fee. Preparations for Hajj 2024 have begun earlier to secure better accommodations for pilgrims in key holy cities, and operations will run from May 9 to June 9 across eight airports in the country. #MakkahRouteInitiative #Hajj2024 #PakistanPilgrims #KarachiAirport #IslamabadAirport #SaudiArabia #HajjPreparation #Pilgrimage #HajjSavings #ReligiousTravel #HajjQuota #PakistaniPilgrims

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has recently announced a revision to the expiration date for Umrah visas issued to foreign pilgrims. The revised deadline is now Dhul Qadah 15, two weeks earlier than the previous Dhul Qadah 29 cutoff. Consequently, foreign pilgrims are required to depart Saudi Arabia by Dhul Qadah 15. This adjustment is part of the government's ongoing efforts to enhance the management of pilgrims journeying to the sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah, particularly with the approaching Hajj season. In addition to the visa expiration date change, the Ministry clarified the validity period of the three-month Umrah visa, which now commences from the date of issuance instead of the previous policy, which began from the date of entry into the country. The Ministry addressed several inquiries received through the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) and collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish the new expiration date. Dhul Qadah 15 was selected strategically to facilitate the orderly management of pilgrim traffic and support the smooth organization of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. By implementing these adjustments, the Ministry aims to optimize the flow of individuals in and out of the country, ensuring a better experience for all pilgrims and contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of the pilgrimage process. #تحديث_تأشيرة_العمرة #استعدادات_الحج #إدارة_الحجاج #سياسة_العمرة_ا #UmrahVisaUpdate #HajjPreparation #PilgrimManagement #SaudiUmrahPolicy #DhulQadah15Deadline #TourVisionTravel #newsupdate24 #SmoothPilgrimage #VisaValidityChange #MinistryEfforts #PilgrimSafety #HajjSeason

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has recently announced a revision to the expiration date for Umrah visas issued to foreign pilgrims. The revised deadline is now Dhul Qadah 15, two weeks earlier than the previous Dhul Qadah 29 cutoff. Consequently, foreign pilgrims are required to depart Saudi Arabia by Dhul Qadah 15. This adjustment is part of the government's ongoing efforts to enhance the management of pilgrims journeying to the sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah, particularly with the approaching Hajj season. In addition to the visa expiration date change, the Ministry clarified the validity period of the three-month Umrah visa, which now commences from the date of issuance instead of the previous policy, which began from the date of entry into the country. The Ministry addressed several inquiries received through the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) and collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish the new expiration date. Dhul Qadah 15 was selected strategically to facilitate the orderly management of pilgrim traffic and support the smooth organization of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. By implementing these adjustments, the Ministry aims to optimize the flow of individuals in and out of the country, ensuring a better experience for all pilgrims and contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of the pilgrimage process. #تحديث_تأشيرة_العمرة #استعدادات_الحج #إدارة_الحجاج #سياسة_العمرة_ا #UmrahVisaUpdate #HajjPreparation #PilgrimManagement #SaudiUmrahPolicy #DhulQadah15Deadline #TourVisionTravel #newsupdate24 #SmoothPilgrimage #VisaValidityChange #MinistryEfforts #PilgrimSafety #HajjSeason

These countries are often highlighted for their quality of life, opportunities, and overall expat friendliness. I hope we will see Pakistan in the list before 2050😔 #topcountries #topdestinations #livingabroad

Over 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims are poised to experience a smoother Hajj pilgrimage this year, thanks to the expansion of the Makkah Route Initiative. Launched in 2019, this initiative allows pilgrims to complete immigration procedures at their departure airport in Pakistan, eliminating the need for lengthy checks upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. While initially only benefiting Islamabad, Pakistani officials successfully advocated for the expansion of the initiative to Karachi, the country's most populous city. This expansion is expected to significantly reduce wait times and simplify the entry process for a larger number of pilgrims. Of the pilgrims using the initiative, 41,000 will participate under the government's Hajj scheme, with the remaining 24,000 utilizing private tour operators. The distribution of pilgrims using the initiative at Islamabad and Karachi airports will be nearly equal, with 29,500 and 35,500 pilgrims, respectively. This development coincides with Saudi Arabia restoring Pakistan's pre-pandemic Hajj quota and abolishing the upper age limit. With Pakistan's Hajj operations commencing in May and the pilgrimage itself occurring in June, over 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to participate this year. #hajj #pilgrims #Makkah #follower #followers #followerseveryone

The Saudi Arabian government has approved a proposal for Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims to travel via the sea route, signifying a significant change in travel arrangements for the pilgrimage. During a bilateral meeting in Jeddah, Bangladesh’s Religious Affairs Adviser, Dr AFM Khalid Hossain, met with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah, who expressed Saudi Arabia's support for the proposal. The Bangladesh government is contemplating sending a trial group of 2,000 to 3,000 pilgrims by sea in 2024. Further consultations with Saudi port authorities and shipping companies are necessary to finalize the logistical details. In addition, Saudi Arabia will enhance its biometric systems to improve the experience for Hajj pilgrims and issue multiple entry visas for Hajj agency representatives. The Saudi minister also pledged to address issues related to lost luggage from the Route to Makkah program and consider adjusting the quota for agencies to 250 pilgrims. Source: Dhaka Tribune #news #bdnews #dhaka #banglasesh #updatenews #sozoo #sozootoday

EXTREME WEATHER According to Reuters, around 1,114 people have died due to extreme heat during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. As per the security and medical sources, the majority of the dead were Egyptians, with their death toll rising to 672 and another 25 missing. In response, an Egyptian crisis unit suspended the licenses of 16 tourism companies, accusing them of the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims in Mecca. Reportedly, the companies failed to provide pilgrims whose travel they facilitated with any services, including medical. In addition, the agencies have been accused of sending pilgrims to Saudi on personal visit visas rather than haj visit visas, restricting them from accessing medical services offered by Saudi authorities to pilgrims on haj visas. Furthermore, the travel agencies did not provide appropriate accommodation to pilgrims, which added to the exhaustion. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government data reported the death of 236 Indonesians during Haj and the Indian external affairs ministry reported the death of 98 Indian citizens. Tunisia, Jordan, Iran, and Senegal reported further deaths. Image Source - NBC News #saudiarabia #mecca #hajj #pilgrims #egypt #tunisia #jordan #india #iran #senegal #indonesia #heatwave #climatechange #globalwarming #heat

Saudi Arabia has made a major announcement regarding Umrah visas, introducing new regulations and procedures for pilgrims. The details of the announcement were not immediately disclosed, but the changes are expected to impact the process of obtaining Umrah visas and the experience of pilgrims traveling to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The announcement underscores the kingdom's commitment to ensuring the smooth and safe conduct of Umrah pilgrimage amid ongoing challenges and evolving circumstances. #SaudiArabia #Announcement #Umrah #Pilgrims #UmrahVisa

This year's Hajj pilgrimage is set to be smoother for over 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims thanks to the expansion of the Makkah Route Initiative. This initiative, launched in 2019, allows pilgrims to complete immigration procedures at their departure airport in Pakistan, eliminating the need for lengthy checks upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. Previously, only Islamabad benefitted from the initiative. However, Pakistani officials successfully lobbied for its expansion to Karachi, the country's most populous city. This expansion is expected to significantly reduce wait times and simplify the entry process for a larger number of pilgrims. The breakdown of pilgrims utilizing the initiative is interesting. 41,000 pilgrims will participate under the government's Hajj scheme, while the remaining 24,000 will utilize private tour operators. Islamabad and Karachi airports will see a nearly equal distribution of pilgrims using the initiative, with 29,500 and 35,500 respectively. This positive development comes alongside Saudi Arabia restoring Pakistan's pre-pandemic Hajj quota and abolishing the upper age limit. With Pakistan's Hajj operations commencing in May and the pilgrimage itself happening in June, over 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to participate this year. #hajj #pilgrims #Makkah