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Iraqis can’t take the road for Umrah

But, on the other hand, they are allowed to travel by air, an Umrah and Haj tour operator told the Khaleej Times.

A source from the Royal Consulate General of Saudi Arabia said that Iraqi and Libyan nationals were not allowed to travel by road and only by air due to security reasons. “This might be a temporary order,” said the source. Officials from the Iraqi Consulate in Dubai said that this was a decision taken by the Saudi government, and could not be contested.

“No other nationality has any visa problem, except the Iraqis. Though we do not have a large number of Iraqi expats wishing to travel for Umrah by road, but this year, when we sent their visa papers for clearance, they were rejected and we were told that Iraqi nationals can travel by air only,” said Mohammed Ullah Hussaini, PRO, Humaid Al Mazroui and Sons Umrah and Haj Tour operator. It takes nearly 30 hours to reach Saudi Arabia from the UAE by road. No visa fees is charged by the Saudi government, except a Dh20 border tax.

Confirming the news, a representative of Al Diyafah Umrah and Haj Tours, Sultan Bedr said, “We do not know the exact reason, but the Saudi Embassy does not allow Iraqi nationals to travel by road to Saudi Arabia.”

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Mohammed Faras, an Iraqi national residing in Sharjah said, “A few months ago, all roads leading to Iraq were closed, and we can only travel by air now if we want to go to our home country. I am not aware of this ban being implemented for Umrah as well. It does not make sense.” He cited the ban being linked to political problems with the country. “I am sure this ban is linked to the present political scenario between both countries,” added Faras.

Meanwhile, tour operators say that business is booming as usual. Each year, the number of Muslims heading to the holy city of Makkah to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan is increasing, they say.

“We closed bookings even before the holy month as the rush kept on increasing and more and more people were being kept on chance,” said Hussaini. Giving details, he said by the 27th of Shabaan, bookings are made on chance and “we have nearly 14-15 such bookings”.

Hussaini also said that the company was operating for the past 19 years with branches all over the UAE. “We have witnessed a considerable increase in people heading for Umrah from the UAE. Four buses have already left for Umrah on 12th of Ramadan and five buses left on 18th of Ramadan, while two will leave the on 24th,” he said.

The cost of the Umrah package offered by road tour operators is Dh720 for one person, and it includes tickets and residence in the holy city of Makkah. Haj costs more at Dh1,000. “Earlier, we used to have many people travelling for Haj, but since the government has introduced a quota system, we are allowed to transport only 130 people,'' Hussaini added.

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