JEDDAH, 11 January 2005 — The Kingdom passed a law obliging Saudi agents of foreign firms bringing pilgrims into the Kingdom to provide a bank guarantee of up to SR200,000 to compensate for any amounts needed for the housing of the pilgrims during their stay in the Kingdom. The money will also be used to pay the cost of accommodating overstaying pilgrims who fail to return to their countries at the end of Haj.
The law was passed by the Council of Ministers at its weekly session held yesterday in Riyadh under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Abdullah.
Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Fouad Al-Farsi said that under the new law any non-Saudi carrier engaged in the transport of pilgrims by air, land or sea must have an authorized local Saudi agent. The bank guarantee set at SR10,000 at the minimum and SR200,000 at the maximum is irrevocable and unconditional. Both the agent and carrier must ensure that the pilgrims they bring into the Kingdom return to their countries after Haj.
The law will come into force 180 days after its publication in the official gazette. The law is similar to one passed by the government a few years ago to streamline Umrah. Firms bringing in Umrah pilgrims must also operate through authorized Saudi agents. They are required to produce bank guarantees to cover any expenses resulting from their failure to meet their commitments toward the pilgrims.
The agents are required under the law to ensure that their Umrah pilgrims return home after performing the minor pilgrimage. The Ministry of Haj penalized a number of Umrah firms since the law came into effect after those were found to have breached their contractual obligations.
The Cabinet was briefed by the ministers on the services their various departments have readied for the pilgrims who continue to arrive in large numbers for Haj. The crown prince welcomed the pilgrims wishing them a safe and comfortable Haj and urging them to abide by the regulations intended to ensure their safety.
Dr. Al-Farsi said the crown prince congratulated Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on winning the presidential election wishing him on behalf of the Saudi government success in his mission for the benefit of the Palestinian people.
The crown prince briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of discussions with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during his visit to the Kingdom last week as well as the contacts and meetings between the Saudi leadership and world leaders.
The Cabinet commended the public response to the donation campaign launched last week to help the earthquake and tsunami victims in South Asia saying the response showed the compassionate nature of the Saudi people who would not hesitate to extend a helping hand when needed.
