Licensed Umrah tour operators have resumed arranging Umrah tours from Qatar to Saudi Arabia for pilgrims including expatriates.
“The Umrah tour operators licensed by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs are allowed to arrange Umrah trips. Indeed some tour operators arranged trips for pilgrims including expatriates residing in Qatar, according to the requirements by Saudi authorities,” said Head of Haj and Umrah Department at the Ministry, Ali Sultan Al Misifiri.
Speaking in a Qatar TV programme, he said the Ministry has launched a hotline (132) to provide information to Umrah pilgrims. “Expatriates are allowed to go on Umrah pilgrimage only through authorised Umrah tour operators who are responsible to get issuance of visa, obtain permissions and follow other procedures required,” said Al Misifiri.
About the requirements for Umrah pilgrims inside Saudi Arabia, he said pilgrims should register through Muqeem portal and ‘Tawakkalna’ and ‘Eatmarna’ apps. “The pilgrim will then head to Enaya office to collect e-bracelet, a permission to perform Umrah pilgrimage and offer five time prayers in Masjid Al Haram, also known as the Great Mosque of Makkah. Enaya offices are available at 10 hotels in Makkah to facilitate the pilgrims,” said Al Misifiri.
“The latest procedures for pilgrims are registering on ‘Muqeem’ portal and ‘Tawakkalna’ and Eatmarna apps. So far, these are the procedures that we have been informed by the Saudi authorities,” said Al Misifiri.
Explaining the difference between the Muqeem portal and Tawakkalna app, he said the first one contains COVID-19 vaccine data, such as the type of vaccine, the number of doses and dates.
As for ‘Tawakkalna’, it is similar to Ehteraz app in Qatar showing the health status of a person, which is required to enter public places such as hotels.
He said pilgrims need to show Tawakkalna status at the entrance to the Masjid Al Haram.
