SRINAGAR: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday announced the suspension of an Umrah company and its overseas agent for failing to provide accommodation services to pilgrims as per approved contractual programmes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministry said the company’s failure to secure lodging for pilgrims constitutes a clear violation of regulations governing services for Umrah visitors to the Two Holy Mosques. Several pilgrims reportedly arrived in the Kingdom without confirmed accommodation despite these services being included in the contractual agreements.
Immediate regulatory action was taken against the company and its overseas agent under existing legal frameworks, the ministry stated, emphasising that the measures aim to safeguard pilgrims’ rights, prevent future violations, and enhance service quality.
The announcement follows a similar suspension in June when seven Umrah companies were penalised for deficiencies in providing transport services to pilgrims.
According to earlier reports from the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, more than 1.7 million Muslims from across the world arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah during Jumada Al Akhira — the sixth month of the Islamic calendar — which ended on December 20, 2025, in the Gregorian calendar.
