PIA suffers loss of Rs 2 billion following suspension of Umrah flights
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suffered loss of Rs 2 billion following suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia after temporary ban on Umrah due to coronavirus.
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Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Ghana confirms temporary suspension of Umrah
His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ghana Meshal Hamdan Al-Rogi has confirmed the temporary suspension of Umrah (the lesser hajj) by Saudi authorities as a precautionary measure to protect the holiest mosques of Ka’ba in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina against the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) globally.
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Seeking differentiation, halal online travel agents move away from traditional model
Outside of Indonesia, the number of Muslim-friendly travel sites targeting the global market that offer reviews, destination guides and new ways to access hotel and package deals has continued to grow.
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Hajj registration loses pace
Amid the global scare over the novel coronavirus, Hajj pilgrims are not registering their names for the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Given this scenario, the religious affairs ministry has urged the pilgrims to register their names without any fear as they would not be able to perform Hajj otherwise.
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Cancelling the Hajj? How conflict, disease often stopped pilgrimage to Mecca long before the coronavirus
Saudi authorities have stopped pilgrims visiting Mecca because of the coronavirus, leading to fears this year’s Hajj might be cancelled, but this wouldn’t be the first time this happens.
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Mataf is washed, sterilized and incensed 7 times a day
The Mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Ka’ba) and all the entrances to the Grand Mosque are washed and sterilized seven times per day. The areas go through the sanitization and perfuming process thrice between Isha (night) and Fajr (dawn) prayers.
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Over 5,000 Egyptian pilgrims trapped in Saudi Arabia due to virus
More than 5,000 Egyptian pilgrims are stuck in Saudi Arabia after flights between the kingdom and several countries, including Egypt, were suspended as part of measures against the coronavirus.
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Umrah Travel Agents on COVID-19, Refunds, and Financial Burdens
Umrah travel organizers voice concerns over possible bankruptcy if thousands of customers demand refunds due to coronavirus crisis.
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Coronavirus Travel Restrictions Disrupting Pilgrimage Trips For Muslim Americans
Saudi Arabia has halted all international travel into the country due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, which has meant that access to Muslim holy sites in the cities of Mecca and Medina has been limited.
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Register for Hajj, leave rest to govt
State Minister for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Md Abdullah urged everyone planning to perform Hajj to deposit the necessary payments with time in hand.
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Saudi Arabia, Gulf neighbors report more cases of coronavirus
Saudi Arabia’s authorities have recorded four news cases of the coronavirus, taking the total of infections to 11, the kingdom’s health ministry said on Twitter on Sunday.
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‘Customers are entitled to full refunds’ if Umrah trips cancelled
Customers ‘should be provided with a full refund of the payments that they have made for their package contracts’ says a leading Hajj organisation.
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