Tourism & Hospitality | Saturday 27 August, 2016 3:58 am |

Scholars from all over the world have praised the decision of the Saudi Council of Ministers to bear the cost of Haj and Umrah visa fee for first-time pilgrims. The scholars pointed out that this showed the desire of the Kingdom to ease the load of Muslims and provide a safe and well-organized Haj.

Abbas Shoman of Al-Azhar University in Cairo said the decision eased the financial burdens of Haj and Umrah pilgrims. It also gives those who are unable to pay the visa fees for Haj and Umrah the chance to perform pilgrimage. He commended the Kingdom’s efforts in assisting the performance of Haj and Umrah through spending on projects that make both safer and more comfortable.
Salim Alwan Al-Husseini, an Islamic scholar from Australia, said that the Kingdom, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, had exerted every effort to overcome and eliminate difficulties faced by pilgrims.
He added that the expansion projects over the past years are witness to the huge efforts by the Saudi government to better serve pilgrims.
Jamal Farouq of Al-Azhar University commended the decision of the Council of Ministers, saying it reflected the Kingdom’s wish to ease the burden on Muslims and organize Haj.
Farouq said the Kingdom’s leadership had increased services provided to pilgrims and had come up with speedy solutions for problems so that pilgrims were able to perform their worship in a serene, safe and easy manner.
Ahmad Taha, imam at an Islamic center in Germany, said the Kingdom made huge efforts in the support of Haj pilgrims, and this latest decision eased the burdens of many.
Tawfiq bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudairi, deputy minister of Islamic affairs, commended the decision of the Council of Ministers to eliminate first-time visa fees, saying this came from the heart of the Kingdom which exerts all efforts to serve the guests of Allah.
Sheikh Mohammed Al-Seir of a dawah office in Riyadh said the latest decision was made to ease matters for the guests of Allah and provide them with the opportunity to perform Haj. The government also provides transport, food and medicine for the guests of Allah so that they can perform the Haj smoothly and easily.