Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on April 2nd, 2020
Updated: 2 April 2020 | Ibadat.pk | Umrah Desk: Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew in Mecca and Medina on Thursday [2 April 2020], the interior ministry said, extending measures taken to combat the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 1,700 people and killed 16 in the country.
Just when it was thought that Saudi Authorities were trying to bring back some normalcy by easing selected lock down restrictions in the two Holy Cities like reopening of Mataaf for a limited number of people, Saudi authorities tightened curfew in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Official News Account of Makkah region (Emirate of Makkah) reported this development on twitter.
The curfew had previously been from 1500 (3 pm) to 0600 (6 am). Residents in both cities may leave their homes only for necessary reasons such as buying food and for medical care only between the hours of 6 a.m. till 3 p.m. However, Residents going out must remain within their residential area.
The official said curfew exemptions still apply to those in vital public and private sectors such as security, military and media. Those who work in health services are also excluded from the curfew.
Fallout from the highly infections coronavirus is showing no signs of easing as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reported around the world is approaching a million.
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 Faisal Naeem in Hajj Info Guidance on March 24th, 2020
Recently there has been flurry of images (regarding cancellation of Hajj 2020) making rounds on social media accompanied by the following short message in English and Urdu:
سعودی حکومت نے اس بات کی تصدیق کی ہے کہ اس سال حج منسوخ ہو سکتا ہے اور تمام حج کمپنیوں کو کہا ہے کہ کسی بھی طرح کا کوئ معاہدہ نہ کریں کسی ہوٹل کسی معلم یا کسی ٹکٹ کا
The Saudi government has confirmed that this year the Hajj may be cancelled and has asked all Hajj companies not to make any deal with any hotel, trainer or ticket.
The reference for this image in question is the following notification:
Without questioning the authenticity of the above notification, it needs to be clarified that the above notification is NOT BY THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT, but by Omani Government which is advising its Hajj Group Organizers and Operators to delay making payments for hotels, transport companies and Maktab’s for Hajj 2020 as there is yet no clarity on how things will proceed.
The official stamp at the bottom of letter is of the Government of Oman and the letter is merely asking its agents to delay the process of doing agreements for its hujjaj.
Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia is yet to announce any policy for Hajj 2020 in light of the ongoing pandemic COVID-19 and there has been misrepresentation of the above letter due to it being in Arabic.
We request people not to forward such letters under false pretences as this just fuel’s anxiety and panic.
It is pertinent to mention here that Saudi Government as yet has been very swift in taking strict action to curb the menace of Corona Virus like suspension of prayers at All Mosques (Except Masjid Al Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabvi in Madinah), not allowing entry to all international Umrah Zaireen, imposing curfew in cities from 7pm to 6am and temporarily banning all travel from several nations including Pakistan . If current crisis doesn’t ease up then drastic measures might be taken but we have to wait for any update from the Saudi Government. Hence Hajj 2020 being cancelled can not be claimed as yet!
Read more: How will Hajj 2020 and the rest of Umrah Season 2019 – 2020 be impacted by Corona Virus?
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on March 21st, 2020
PRESS RELEASE [AVIATION DIVISION] |21-03-2020
ISLAMABAD: The WHO has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Most of the countries have now reported cases of COVID-19. The Government is making all-out efforts to deal with a rapidly evolving situation which is a challenge, not only for Pakistan but the whole world. Proactive, comprehensive and coordinated steps continue to be taken to curtail the spread of COVID-19, with a view to ensuring safety and security of our nationals and people traveling to and from Pakistan.2. As the situation evolves, the Government continues to review the measures/ arrangements in place, including the WHO recommendations to keep its population safe.3. Against this backdrop and after carefully examining all options, the Government of Pakistan has decided to suspend operation of all international passenger, chartered and private flights to Pakistan, effective from 21st March 2020 (2000 hrs PST) to 4th April 2020 (2000 hrs PST). This is a temporary suspension imposed due to exceptional circumstances. Upon resumption of international passenger, chartered and private flights to Pakistan, RT-PCR test certification from points of origin will not be mandatory.4. Diplomats and special/ cargo aircrafts are exempted from the conditions above. However, they will be subjected to appropriate health screenings on arrival. They can also be isolated / quarantined as per advice of health professionals.5. The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of its people. COVID-19 is a global challenge entailing a global response. Individual responsibility is critical for collective security. Your safety lies in keeping others safe.Abdul Sattar KhokharSenior Joint SecretarySpokesmanAviation Division
21 March: In an effort to curb the spread of corona virus, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suspended all international operations. This was announced earlier today by several news channels, PIA’s official facebook page has also issued the notification.
PIA is cancelling all its international flights in accordance with the directives of Government of Pakistan effective from 8 PM 21 Mar 2020 till 28 Mar 2020. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. For more information & reservation changes contact 111-786-786. #PIA #PakistanFightsCorona
Expectations for Hajj 2020: Pakistan travel industry experts are expecting that the Saudi Government may reduce Hajj Quota of different countries (residents of countries most affected might completely be barred from preforming Hajj in 2020) in an effort to manage the spread of virus. If this is the case then the overall Hajj Quota from Pakistan may be reduced and hence Quota of Private Hajj Organizers will also get reduced. This means that the availability of Private Hajj Packages for 2020 in Pakistan will go down.
Expectations for Umrah 2019 – 2020: It is now assumed that Umrah might not open until Ramadan 2020, with some industry experts saying that Umrah might not be allowed for international travelers for the rest of the season
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!
+92 (300) 040-4255
info@ibadat.pk
+92 (300) 040-4255
info@ibadat.pk
