JEDDAH: A source at the Ministry of Haj and Umrah has reaffirmed that the Kingdom will issue Haj visas for Iranians residing in European countries after the government in Tehran refused to send Iranians for pilgrimage this year.

The source said a number of Iranians residing outside Iran applied for Haj visas through travel and tourism agents in Europe.

The source said the ministry will take all necessary steps in this regard in accordance with the applicable regulations in these European countries.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Osama Al-Nugali said the issue of granting visas for those wanting to perform Haj rituals from outside Iran or any other country is the sole jurisdiction of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has nothing to do with this matter. Its role is restricted to executing authorized procedures," he added.

The source said two or three offices will be opened in Makkah this year to provide the necessary services to the Iranian pilgrims residing outside Iran. “Every new Haj season, about 10 to 12 offices are allocated to provide field services to the Iranian pilgrims who come via the travel and tourism firms around the world,” added the source.

The source explained that according to an agreement between Tawafa establishments, these establishments will benefit from the services of the Tawafa providers for Iranian pilgrims. The number of Tawaf providers and their children working on the service of the Iranian pilgrims stands between 120 and 144 individuals, in addition to a group of employees and workers.

The source that due to the inability of Iranian pilgrims to make it this year, the Council of Tawafa Establishment assigned Tawafa service providers who serve the Iranian pilgrims to work at the branch of the ministry and other Tawafa establishments, and that they will not be affected by the absence of Iranian pilgrims.