File photo used for representation only.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has authorised 11 tour operators to arrange Umrah trips from Qatar to Saudi Arabia.
“A list of 11 authorised Umrah tour operators with their contact details is available on the website of the Ministry,” said Head of Haj and Umrah Department of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Ali Sultan Al Misifiri.
Speaking in a Qatar TV programme yesterday, Al Misifiri also detailed the requirements to be met by the pilgrims. “First of all, a pilgrim is required to register with Muqeem portal, 24 hours before entering Saudi Arabia. He is also needed to register with ‘Tawakkalna’ and ‘Eatmarna’ apps to get electronic permit for performing Umrah and five time prayers in Masjid Al Haram, also known as the Great Mosque of Makkah,” said Al Misifiri.
He said that in case of any technical problem in accessing the portal or apps, a pilgrim is required to go to Enaya office in Saudi Arabia to collect e-bracelet, a permission to perform Umrah pilgrimage and offer five time prayers in Masjid Al Haram. “Citizens and expatriates should follow the same procedures. However, expatriates are allowed to go on Umrah only through authorised Umrah tour operators,” said Al Misifiri. He said there is close coordination between the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Ministry of Haj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia.
A delegation from Qatar visited Saudi Arabia recently to know the latest development about the COVID-19 preventive measures, he said.
He said that a pilgrim needs to register with Muqeem portal 72 hours before entering Saudi Arabia providing details about the COVID-19 vaccination.
Al Misifiri said Tawakkalna app which is like Qatar’s Ehteraz app shows the health condition of a pilgrim enabling him to enter Masjid Al Haram, hotels and go to public places. “People intending to perform Umrah from Qatar can contact the Department of Haj and Umrah through a hotline 132 for any information or in case they face a problem. During their presence in Saudi Arabia they can call the Consulate of Qatar in Jeddah,” said Al Misifiri.
The authorised Umrah operators are Taiba for Hajj and Umrah; Ansar for Hajj and Umrah; Bin Darwish for Hajj and Umrah; Al Furqan for Hajj and Umrah; Alquds for Hajj, Umrah and Tourism; Nosook for Hajj and Umrah; Labbaik for Hajj and Umrah; Dorrat Makkah for Hajj and Umrah; Hatem for Hajj and Umrah; Alnoor for Hajj and Umrah; and Al Hamadi for Hajj and Umrah.
