Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on July 15th, 2020
Ibadat | Umrah Desk: The VAT rate in Saudi Arabia will be increased to 15% (from the current rate of 5%) effective 1 July 2020. This means that the Hajj and Umrah packages for the upcoming season 2020 – 2021 will become even more expensive (in SAR )!
The tripling of the VAT rate is intended to address the fiscal imbalance caused by a decrease in consumer and commercial spending, the loss of oil and tax revenues, and the cost of healthcare initiatives put into place in response to the pandemic (COVID 19).
According to KPMG – businesses in the financial and real estate sectors—those in which significant proportions of the goods and services are exempt from VAT—may face a significant increase in costs because they are not able to claim input VAT incurred that relates to exempt activities. This increase will affect profitability and, eventually, could have a cascading effect on customers.
Hajj and Umrah package prices have consistently been increasing over the last few years. For Pakistani’s the main reason is the dramatically depreciating exchange rate.
However the rise of cost for Umrah (2019 – 2020) season has been due to the increase of Umrah Visa costs and changes in booking process. The increase was around SAR 700.
The price of Umrah packages for the upcoming season are also expected to rise dramatically. As it is PKR has depreciated by around 5% in the last few months. Adding the increasing VAT on hotel accommodation and transport will also factor in higher prices.
But significant increase is expected to come from the implementation of Quota during Umrah Season 2020 – 2021 in order to manage the effects of Corona Virus! It is also expected that the Mandatory Health Insurance cost will also increase for Umrah Passengers. All this would have an severely adverse in demand for religious packages hence dealing a blow to an already struggling sector in Pakistan!
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on April 1st, 2020
Updated: 1 April 2020 | Ibadat.pk | Umrah Desk: As the global fallout due to the disastrous coronavirus pandemic does not show any signs of easing, some parts of the world try and stagger back to normalcy by reducing the restrictions of lockdown. Following the royal order by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Mataf (open white area immediately around the Ka’bah where tawaf takes place) has been opened as of yesterday (Tuesday, 31 March). However, this will only be limited to Groups of 50 that will be allowed on to the Mataf to make just 1 Complete Tawaaf. Entrance will be restricted to Bab-e-Fahad (the King Fahad door).
Closing of Mataaf, completely disallowing Umrah for any one (locals and international Zaireen), imposing curfew, suspension of prayers at All Mosques (Except Masjid Al Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabvi in Madinah), were all part of the many swift measures taken by the Saudi Government curb the spread of the virus by to adhering to the guidelines of social distancing. Due to this spread of the virus in Saudi has been well controlled (To date: 1,536 confirmed cases, 10 fatal cases).
According to sources in Saudi Arabia, provided below are the current restrictions in place for any one (only current residents allowed) planning to visit Masjid Al Haram (Makkah) and Masjid Al Nabwi (Madinah)
Masjid Al Nabawi will remain closed for all worshippers and visitors until further notice. – Prayers will continue to be led with small congregation behind closed doors.
Posted by ibdat@dmin in Umrah on March 2nd, 2020
27 Feb 2020: Saudi Arabia has placed a temporary ban on Umrah pilgrims in an attempt to ensure public safety by preventing the spread of the corona-virus.
It is one of the several precautionary measures announced early on Thursday as health authorities in the Kingdom closely monitor the spread of the virus. Tourist-visa holders from countries judged to pose a particularly high risk of spreading the virus will also be denied entry. From Pakistan Visitor Visa holder to Saudi and people wanting to get visa on arrival for Umrah will also not be allowed. Circular from Emirates Airlines, on the leading airlines for Umrah Zaireen from Pakistan is provided below.
In addition, Saudi nationals and citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council nations will not be able to use a national identity card to travel to and from the Kingdom for the time being. Exceptions to this shall be granted to Saudis returning home, and citizens of GCC countries who are in the Kingdom and want to return to their home countries, provided that they left or entered the Kingdom using a national identity card.
Health authorities at entry points will verify which countries travelers visited before arriving in Saudi Arabia and apply all necessary precautionary measures.
Saudi officials stressed that the restrictions are temporary and will be continuously reviewed by the health authorities. They reiterated the Kingdom’s support for and implementation of international efforts to limit the spread of the virus, and the Foreign Ministry urged citizens not to travel to the countries worst affected by the corona-virus.
Read More [Questions Regarding Hajj in 2020 and Umrah 2020]: How will Hajj 2020 and the rest of Umrah Season 2019 – 2020 be impacted by Corona Virus?
Nearly 7 million Umrah pilgrims visit the Kingdom each year, the majority of whom arrive at airports in Jeddah and Madinah.
Earlier, it emerged that seven Saudis are among the latest corona-virus cases in Bahrain and Kuwait. The Bahraini Ministry of Health on Wednesday said six Saudi women has tested positive for the virus.
They had arrived at Bahrain International Airport on a flight from Iran. The total number of confirmed cases in the country stands at 26. Studies at schools and universities have been suspended for two weeks in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
Kuwait announced the first case of a Saudi citizen infected by the virus. The man, who had arrived in the country from the Iranian city of Mashhad, has been placed in quarantine for 14 days. There have been 26 confirmed cases of the virus to date in Kuwait.
If you have already booked packages from us and do not have a flight in the upcoming week, then you are requested to wait till further notice. However if you have a flight over the next two days, our help desk will assist you in reevaluating your options after discussing with the Umrah Organizer who booked your package. At Ibadat.pk we are here to assist you in any way possible.
Packages with flights / group packages listed the platform may still go ahead as schedule – there will be more clarity in a couple of days regarding the situation. However it is likely that packages with flight that are departing before 15 March might get cancelled. However packages / groups with departure after 19 March may still move ahead as schedule. You can register your interest for them but we will only be able to confirm bookings on them after there is more clarity – hopefully in a couple of days.
You can register your interest for Umrah packages without flights available on our platform. However we will not confirm booking for theses packages or flights until there is more clarity. Even if you are booking umrah packages with Organizers we work with, we advice you not to confirm or make payments until there is more clarity. We hope the situation is temporary.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْبَرَصِ، وَالْجُنُونِ، وَالْجُذَامِ، وَمِنْ سَيِّئِ الأَسْقَامِ
ALLAHUMMA INNI AUDHUBIKA MINAL BARSI, WAL JUNOONI, WALJUZAAMI, WA SAYYIL ASQAAM
Oh ALLAH I seek Your refuge from leprosy, Insanity, mutilation and from all serious illness.
May Allah Protect us all!
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on January 29th, 2020
Security checks for getting inside Makkah specifically during Hajj Season and peak Umrah Seasons (Ramadan) is always strict, as entry in to the Holy City is restricted for Muslims only. With plans to rapidly increase the number of visitors coming into Saudi Arabia, the Makkah Region Development Authority (MRDA) has begun a modernization project of checkpoints for pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah, which should reduce waiting times significantly.
It is anticipated that the security-control center on Al-Shumaisi Road, which links Makkah and Jeddah, is underdoing development and should be fully operational before Ramadan (15 % of the work has already been completed as yet) . Development work includes increasing the number of traffic lanes to 16, updating the center’s technological infrastructure to increase efficiency, and integrating several government services under one roof.
It is expected that the facilities will include administrative offices, a mosque, a civil defense center, a Red Crescent center, and a building housing other government agencies.
MRDA spokesperson Jalal bin Abdul Jalil Kaaki said that the authority has also begun development of a security-control center in Al-Nawwariyah in northern Makkah, adding that the new service facilities at the improved centers will also benefit residents of Makkah. Those facilities will include administrative offices, a mosque, a civil defense center, a Red Crescent center, and a building housing other government agencies.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on January 25th, 2020
Every year millions of people visit the Holy Land to preform pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah). However many of us are unaware of the interesting information about the holy landmarks that we love so dearly. Hence we have embarked on a mission so bring some of the lesser known facts about the holy places in Makkah and Madinah. We are starting our series with facts about the Holy Kaaba.
Muslims always wonder about the blessed situation when they are granted entry inside the Kaaba. Besides imaging what it would be like, one of the first questions that come to mind is: “Which direction do i pray in when inside Kaaba?”
The answer is simple: When you step into Kaaba, you can pray in any direction you want.
Kaaba had two doors, one for entering and the other one for exiting. It also had a window, on the side of it. Currently, there is only one door, while the other place where door used to be could be seen during the sand storm of Hajj 2019. The storm was so heavy that it fully lifted the black cloth (Kiswa) from Kaaba, and revealed the place where door once use to be in Kaaba.
This door was built by Abdullah bin Zubair (RA). In 64 Hijri, when Abdullah bin Zubair (RA) was selected as a Caliph, he built this door as per the directives from Ayesha (RA).
Ayesha (RA) said that it was the wish of Muhammad (PBUH) to have two doors of Kaaba as people could enter from both sides of doors. Due to lack of finance, Muhammad (PBUH) was unable to complete it but Abdullah Bin Zubair (RA) later completed it.
In 75 Hijri, When Banu Ummaiyah again captured the Makkah city under the leadership of Hajjaj bin Yousuf, Kaaba was reconstructed into the shape we see it in today’s age. And then Hajjaj bin Yousuf closed the door, which is also known as the hidden door of Kaaba.
The Holy Kaaba was opened twice a week for anyone to enter and pray. But now due to the rapid expansion in the number of pilgrims and other factors, the Kaaba is now opened only twice a year for dignitaries and exclusive guests only.
There is a golden door inside Kaaba that opens to an enclosed staircase that leads to the roof of Kaaba. The roof is made of stainless steel capped tad wood.
The interior of the Holy Kaaba is lined with marble and a green cloth covering the upper walls. The walls of the Holy Kaaba are plaques each celebrating the rebuilding of the House of Allah by the ruler of the day.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on January 3rd, 2020
3 January 2020: In a recent change in policy, Saudi Government has now made medical insurance mandatory as a part of your Umrah journey now. You are bound to pay an extra 200 Riyals for Umrah medical insurance. However, the insurance companies will provide you different covers during your stay in Holy cities.
Minister of Hajj in Saudi Arabia and Tawuniya Chairman signed an agreement to provide medical insurance to Umrah and Hajj visitors.
The reason provided for the implementation of this mandatory fees is that the Saudi Government is trying to implement better experiences for people coming to KSA for Hajj and Umrah. It is as a part of an effort to complete the vision 2030.
Umrah Medical Insurance will be valid for 30 days and will be provided through private insurance companies. The coverage of the insurance is expected to be around SAR 100,000.
There is no clarity on what the coverage will include or whether this will be applicable for out patients as well.
The addition of fees will now increase the price of Umrah packages published on our platform Ibadat and for packages from around the world.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on December 23rd, 2019
Notification on 20.12.2019: According to official notification issued by the OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, FEDERAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY, Umrah Zaireen under the age of 40 will not be allowed to travel with out Mahram, until clarification regarding this policy is received from Saudi Authorities.
As per policy of Saudi immigration authorities any pax who is under the age of 40 years cannot travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah without his group / family members, but the Immigration staff is not complying with such instructions. Therefore, till the written/official reply of concerned Saudi Embassy wherein undersigned has already written the letter dated 20.12.2019 regarding the clarification of laws/policy regarding underage Umrah paxes without “Mehram” wherein the reply is yet awaited by this office.
Keeping in view increasing complaints Of “KHURGOSH UMRAH, all the Shift Incharges/staff (departure) are hereby directed to comply following instruction strictly:-
“Any such pax who arc travelling to perform umrah underage without Mehram, shall not be allowed to travel. If any counter official/Shiti Incharge were found involved in the facilitation of such paxes by taking bribe in any form shall be considered for severe departmental action against the delinquent officers/ officials”
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on December 23rd, 2019
December 2019: As many as 2,031,751 Umrah visas have been issued since the season started about four months ago and a total of 1,566,754 pilgrims have arrived, according to a statistical report issued by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah.
The ministry said a total of 1,221,304 pilgrims have left the Kingdom after completing their Umrah rituals and visiting Madinah to pay homage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and pray at his mosque.
According to the ministry, 1,501,673 pilgrims arrived by air, 65,063 by land and 18 by sea.
The ministry said as many as 411,140 pilgrims have come from Pakistan which tops all the countries in the number of Umrah pilgrims, 368,193 from Indonesia, 221,956 from India, 97,709 from Malaysia, 65,083 from Turkey, 53,962 from Egypt, 47,962 from Bangladesh, 45,950 from Algeria, 29,544 from the United Arab Emirates and 23,926 from Jordan.
The ministry mid last week introduced a new service aimed at covering the Umrah pilgrims coming from outside with insurance against emergency medical cases, delay or canceling of flights, incidents, disasters and others.
The initiative was within the programs of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision aimed at providing excellent services to the Guests of Allah.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on December 10th, 2019
Ibadat.pk is happy to announce that, it has now joined hands with Mobily Telecom (KSA) to distribute sims for Hujjaj and Umrah Zaireen traveling to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Keeping in line with our core aim to facilitate any / all religious travelers, Ibadat.pk has taken up this special corporate social responsibility (CSR) project in collaboration with the Telecom Giant, Mobily. Complementary SIMs for Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims, is a deed done purely assist of pilgrims in an effort to ensure that their traveling remain “tension free” even before they leave for pilgrimage.
In-order to get a sim, kindly fill the form below and our representative will get in-touch with you to guide you further. For individual travelers requesting a sim, proof of travel to Saudi Arabia will be required (which can be emailed or what-sapped to the representative who calls)
Please note the following very important points:
All Hajj and Umrah operators are welcome to collect Sims for their groups from offices of Ibadat.pk, Karachi.
If you are an individual, going for Hajj or Umrah, you can come and collect your Sim from our designated partners offices. You can fill the form above and we will guide you to the nearest collection office.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on December 4th, 2019
Ibadat.pk is happy to welcome Grand Makkah Hotel to its distribution family. We will be will be distributing Grand Makkah Hotel and other properties of the group to the Pakistani Religious Travel Companies along with Hujjaj and Umrah Zaireen for the upcoming Umrah Season 2019 – 2020.
Location is every thing when it comes to choosing a hotel during your trip to the Holy city of Makkah. Located at Al Hojoun area , Al Gaza , adjacent to the Masjid Al Haram, Grand Makkah Hotel boasts a prime location 400 meters from the Holy Haram and one of the best for Umrah and Hajj. The hotel has a unique advantage of being the closest hotel after the completion of Umrah as the hotel is accessible from Safa Marwa.
In addition to the ultimate comfort and casual elegance of the 1386 guest rooms and suites , the five-star hotel provides 24 spacious elevators that allow easy access to and from the lobby to Al Masjid Al Haram. Combining luxurious design with the warm tradition of genuine Arab hospitality, Our outlets and dining venues are perfect for accommodating a wide range of social events , meetings , Conferences and special gatherings.
The five-star hotel offers more than 550 square meter of adaptable function space , including a fully equipped business center with secretarial service, meeting rooms with a pre-function area, fully equipped fitness center , 6 floors parking area and a spectacular ballroom.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on November 25th, 2019
Ibadat.pk is happy to announce that (through its service providers) it will be distributing hotels of Al-Deafah International Group for the upcoming Umrah Season 2019 – 2020.
It is one of the oldest and most reliable Hotel Groups in Saudi Arabia with 17 Hotels in Makkah and 1 Hotel in Madinah. Al-Deafah are the leaders in the management and operation of hotels with focus on providing superior services of Hujjaj and Umrah Zaireen.
The group has worked hard to create policies which are based on in-depth studies and vast experiences of serving the guests of Allah. Good relationship with the clients is always at the forefront of their policies which has helped it steadily gain a solid position in Makkah and Madinah .
| City | Hotel Name | LOCATION Overview | Standard | Shuttle Service | Approx DISTANCE From Haram |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makkah | AMJAD AL-DEAFAH | ATAYSEER | 4 Star | Yes | 900 m |
| Makkah | WAHET ALDEAFAH | Ajyad ALsad | 3 Star | No | 700 m |
| Makkah | ANWAR AL-DEAFAH | Ajyad ALsad | 3 Star | No | 300 m |
| Makkah | NADA AL-DEAFAH | Ajyad ALsad | 3 Star | No | 250 m |
| Makkah | BORJ AL-DEAFAH | Masfallh | 4 Star | No | 1000 m |
| Makkah | SAFER AL-DEAFAH | Hafayer | 3 Star | Yes | 1000 m |
| Makkah | ABEER AL-DEAFAH | Hafayer | 3 Star | Yes | 1000 m |
| Makkah | RIYADH AL-DEAFAH | Jarwal | 3 Star | Yes | 1000 m |
| Makkah | DEYAR AL-DEAFAH | Jarwal | 3 Star | Yes | 1200 m |
| Madinah | TEEBA AL-DEAFAH | Markaziya | 2 Star | No | 300 m |
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on October 18th, 2019
MADINAH | Umrah 2019 – 2020 – Thirty-five foreign nationals have been killed and four others injured in a bus crash near the Muslim holy city of Medina in western Saudi Arabia. Four people who sustained serious injuries were taken to hospital.
The bus originally carried 50 passengers from Qassim to Madinah, with 11 of the pilgrims staying back in Madinah to spend time in Prophet’s Mosque. The horrific accident occurred on Markaz Al-Akhal, 170 km from Madinah, when the bus collided with a “heavy vehicle” in al-Akhal Centre at 19:00 (16:00 GMT) on Wednesday , state media said.
Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, the governor of Medina province, also expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
He has instructed to provide the necessary medical care and facilities for the injured.
Daifallah Al-Shalahi, director of the complex, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that 34 people died on the scene while another succumbed to his injuries after having been taken to hospital.
Photographs published by local media showed a double-decker bus ablaze on a road with all its windows blown out.
The Okaz newspaper reported that the passengers on the bus were undertaking the lesser Muslims pilgrimage, or Umra (Umrah).
“All the hospitals in Madinah region were put on emergency alert following the tragic incident. Among the five injured, one died at the complex while another three seriously injured were transferred later to Madinah hospital. The loader driver, an Arab national, is undergoing treatment at the complex, he said.
Madinah police spokesman said the concerned agencies have launched a probe into the accident. He said the security agencies and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) officials reached the scene of accident to deal with the situation immediately after receiving information about the tragedy.
Khaled Al-Sahli, spokesman of SRCA in Madinah, said that 20 emergency units of SRCA and ambulance units of the Health Department participated in the rescue operation.
The victims were expatriates who lived in the Kingdom and who were performing the umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to the Muslim holy places, which can be undertaken year round.
Pakistan said of the four people who survived the bus crash one was its nationals, while several other Pakistani citizens were killed.
“It has been reported that 35 passengers out of total 39 lost their lives,” the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad said in a statement.
“Initial reports indicate that the deceased also include a certain number of Pakistani nationals. Of the four (4) survivors, there is one Pakistani named Mr. Akbar, who is seriously injured,” it added.
The Pakistan Consulate General in Jeddah has established contact with him and is in touch with the concerned Saudi authorities and staff of the King Fahd Hospital, Madinah to ascertain details of casualties of Pakistani nationals.
Posted by ibdat@dmin in Umrah on September 21st, 2019
21 September 2019 | Makkah, Saudi Arabia: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Imran Khan, who is on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, performed Umrah in Makkah-ul-Mukarramah late on Thursday night / early Friday (20 September).
During Umrah, the prime minister prayed for the prosperity and stability of the country. The prime minister was accompanied by his wife Bushra Bibi and his delegation during the holy rituals.
PM Imran and his delegation offered Jumma prayers at Al-Masjid al-Haram (The Holy Mosque) in Makkah before departing for Madinah to visit Masjid-e-Nabwi to pay respect at Roza-e-Rasool (S.A.W). They also offered Nawafil at Masjid-e-Nabvi (PBUH).
The prime minister also held meetings with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) and assured them that Pakistan fully supported the Kingdom with all its capacities in confronting sabotage acts.
In his meeting with MbS, the PM highlighted the Indian atrocities in Indian occupied Kashmir following the revocation of the special status of the territory by the Modi-led Indian government.
According to details, the doors of the holy Kaaba were also opened for PM Imran and his delegation. PM Khan and his delegation were bestowed with the rare opportunity of going inside Holy Kaaba. They prayed for the people of Kashmir and for Muslims world there.
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