MAKKAH, 9 November 2002 — As many as 656 pilgrims have come to the Kingdom this Umrah season on visas and tickets bought from black markets in their countries, informed sources said.
A supervising committee comprising representatives of six government departments disclosed the scandal after investigating pilgrims who have been squatting on the courtyard of the Grand Mosque.
As per the new Umrah system, agents of Saudi Umrah companies in foreign countries have to arrange Umrah visas to pilgrims free of charge through Saudi missions abroad. According to the Haj Ministry, some 360 foreign agencies have been involved in the visa scandal.
The ministry said the foreign agencies sold the visas in violation of the regulations to those who intend to enter the Kingdom to seek employment or engage in illegal activities under the guise of Umrah pilgrims.
The supervising committee, which includes representatives from the governorate, Haj Ministry, Passport Department, police, and anti-beggary agency, inspects the general condition of pilgrims and prevents them from squatting in the mosque’s courtyard.
Omar Maarouf, supervisor of follow-up panels, told Arab News that the pilgrims told the committee that they had purchased the visas and plane tickets from the black market and come to the Kingdom without reaching any agreement with Saudi Umrah companies.
The Haj Ministry has provided accommodation to the stranded pilgrims in a building located in Misfala near the mosque. The committee has instructed the Umrah firms whose names have been mentioned in the visas to provide the pilgrims with accommodation.
The committee is investigating the companies to see the extent of their involvement in the scandal. Maarouf said the cost of accommodation provided to the stranded pilgrims will be deducted from the money deposited by the companies in the bank in favor of the ministry.
Umrah service companies are expected to earn a combined revenue of SR7 billion this Hijrah year (which ends on March 3, 2003).
In view of the growing number of Umrah pilgrims, the Haj Ministry expects the revenues from Umrah service to cross SR18 billion within 10 years.
The ministry has licensed 229 Saudi Umrah companies to provide various services to pilgrims from the time of their arrival until departure.
These companies deal with 3,500 agents in foreign countries in addition to airlines, road transport and shipping companies, hotels and restaurants.
The ministry estimated the revenue on the basis of average expenditure by an Umrah pilgrim, who stays for 11 days in the Kingdom. They include transport, accommodation and service charges.
An Umrah pilgrim will spend a maximum of SR4,508, a minimum of SR2,567 and median of SR3,537, the study pointed out.
The ministry issued 1.9 million Umrah visas during this Hijrah year until Oct. 18, with Egyptians receiving the lion's share of 37.1 percent, followed by Iran (14.9 percent).
