RIYADH: Heads of various foreign missions in Riyadh exuded hope for quality services under the new visa regime announced by the Cabinet on Monday, and welcomed the decision of no entry visa fees for first-time Haj and Umrah pilgrims.
Speaking to Arab News, Manzoor ul Haq, ambassador of Pakistan said: “I have no doubt the vision and wisdom of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and his decision to allow the visa without any fee for those who come for Haj and Umrah for the first time is commendable.”
He added: The decisions are aimed at making pilgrims comfortable and devising policy on pilgrims’ visits to Makkah and Madinah is understandable ... We hold the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques in very high esteem and respect the decisions,” the envoy underlined.
German Ambassador Dieter W. Haller said: “We are studying the new announcements from various perspectives. They are very important.”
He expressed hope that it would ease business between Saudi Arabia and its trading partners, while facilitating quality services for everyone.
Commenting on the Cabinet decision, Bangladesh Ambassador Golam Moshi told Arab News: “Bangladesh welcomes the decision taken by the Cabinet to provide free Haj and Umrah visas for first timers.”
He said: “It is a generous gesture shown by the Kingdom, which is famous for its hospitality.” He also thanked the king for taking immediate action to end the difficulties of the distressed foreign workers.
While appreciating the services rendered by the Kingdom to serve the guests of Allah, Sri Lankan Ambasssador Azmi Thassim said the new visa rules are good news for world Muslims. “This is a major step taken by the Saudi government to help the first-time pilgrims.”
He said: “Haj is obligatory for all Muslims and performing it for the first time is welcome. However, if they consider doing it again, they will be depriving other pilgrim of the holy ritual.”
Meanwhile, Abdul Lateef Al-Asheikh, municipal and rural affairs minister, said the new fees for municipal services approved by the Cabinet will help the government improve the level of services and thus meet the community’s requirements.
He said the new fees will be levied from the date of approval by the Cabinet.
Focus, he added, is on how to facilitate provision of municipal services electronically, improve environmental health through a waste recycling system, and make cities healthy and eco-friendly through the creation of parks and playgrounds.
At the same time an interactive platform enables exchange of ideas on how to best provide services in a manner that reflects positively on the decision-making process, he said.
Additionally, the services will contribute to improving the effectiveness of the complaint and reporting system (940) as well as the development of a national urban planning system and coordination between service providers, Al-Asheikh pointed out
Speaking to Arab News, Manzoor ul Haq, ambassador of Pakistan said: “I have no doubt the vision and wisdom of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and his decision to allow the visa without any fee for those who come for Haj and Umrah for the first time is commendable.”
He added: The decisions are aimed at making pilgrims comfortable and devising policy on pilgrims’ visits to Makkah and Madinah is understandable ... We hold the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques in very high esteem and respect the decisions,” the envoy underlined.
German Ambassador Dieter W. Haller said: “We are studying the new announcements from various perspectives. They are very important.”
He expressed hope that it would ease business between Saudi Arabia and its trading partners, while facilitating quality services for everyone.
Commenting on the Cabinet decision, Bangladesh Ambassador Golam Moshi told Arab News: “Bangladesh welcomes the decision taken by the Cabinet to provide free Haj and Umrah visas for first timers.”
He said: “It is a generous gesture shown by the Kingdom, which is famous for its hospitality.” He also thanked the king for taking immediate action to end the difficulties of the distressed foreign workers.
While appreciating the services rendered by the Kingdom to serve the guests of Allah, Sri Lankan Ambasssador Azmi Thassim said the new visa rules are good news for world Muslims. “This is a major step taken by the Saudi government to help the first-time pilgrims.”
He said: “Haj is obligatory for all Muslims and performing it for the first time is welcome. However, if they consider doing it again, they will be depriving other pilgrim of the holy ritual.”
Meanwhile, Abdul Lateef Al-Asheikh, municipal and rural affairs minister, said the new fees for municipal services approved by the Cabinet will help the government improve the level of services and thus meet the community’s requirements.
He said the new fees will be levied from the date of approval by the Cabinet.
Focus, he added, is on how to facilitate provision of municipal services electronically, improve environmental health through a waste recycling system, and make cities healthy and eco-friendly through the creation of parks and playgrounds.
At the same time an interactive platform enables exchange of ideas on how to best provide services in a manner that reflects positively on the decision-making process, he said.
Additionally, the services will contribute to improving the effectiveness of the complaint and reporting system (940) as well as the development of a national urban planning system and coordination between service providers, Al-Asheikh pointed out
