MAKKAH: Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister, has set up a ministerial committee to oversee the issuing of licenses to Umrah companies, said Isa Rawas, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Haj for Umrah Affairs. The body will consist of experts from the ministries of Interior and Haj to ensure quality service provision to growing numbers of Umrah pilgrims and prevent overstaying, Al-Madina Arabic daily reported Saturday. He said there were almost 1.2 million Umrah visas issued up until last Wednesday, an increase of 237,681 visas, or 32 percent, compared to the same period last year. He said the chairman and members of the National Committee for Umrah and Haj at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry want the number of Umrah companies to be increased. The current 51 companies are not able to meet the demand, which is likely to increase to 11 million in future, he said. A total of 547,496 Umrah pilgrims have arrived in the country so far, said Rawas. He said the ministry is keeping a close eye on services provided to pilgrims. Rawas said that the ministry distributes a questionnaire to Umrah pilgrims asking them about the quality of services, so that any company that violates any contractual agreements can be punished. He said 65 people who came through Umrah companies this year have overstayed, which is an insignificant number compared to the number of incoming pilgrims. He urged the authorities to lift the ban on 16 Umrah companies because the market needs their services.
