Umrah tour operators in Cape Town have reported a slump in umrah bookings for the forthcoming season, as a result of the high visa fees. South Africans now have to pay an additional R7 800 for an umrah visa. In August, the Saudi Government confirmed its intent to increase all
Over the past week, umrah and haj stakeholders have come out in opposition of calls to boycott the pilgrimage, following the announcement of an alarming 2000 Saudi Riyal visa change for repeat umrah and haj pilgrims. This after both Morocco and Egypt announced its boycott of both the minor and
Following weeks of confusion surrounding the price of umrah visas, the African National Congress’s (ANC) Western Cape branch this week released a statement affirming the party’s willingness to assist in resolving the matter. In August this year, media reports surfaced from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stating that travellers to
Two meetings in Cape Town and Johannesburg to discuss the umrah fee hike have unanimously agreed that umrah should not be boycotted. On Sunday, hundreds of concerned residents gathered in both cities to call for the visa increases to be scrapped. Saudi Arabia has increased visas from 350 riyals to
As a meeting got underway in Cape Town, at the same time hundreds of Muslims met in Crosby, Johannesburg on Sunday to voice their opposition at the introduction of excessive visa fees for hajj and umrah. The Saudi Arabia Government recently announced the introduction of visa fees of SR 2000,
One political analyst says he is not surprised that Saudi Arabia has hiked the cost for umrah visas, as the country is looking to boost religious tourism in the face of economic reforms. South Africans have been hard hit by the news of paying for umrah visas, which some say
As mu’tamireen throughout the world prepare for the opening of the umrah season on Safar 1, 1438, travellers, operators and haj and umrah bodies have in recent weeks been inundated with conflicting reports on the new haj and umrah visa charges. In August, media reports began circulating that the Kingdom
A petition, called new Umarah Visa Fees Must Fall, has been circulating on social media calling for Saudi Arabian authorities to reconsider increasing visa charges for repeat haj and umrah pilgrims. More than 7300 supporters have thus far signed the petition. This follows a decision by Saudi authorities to impose
Just as the Haj 2016 season ends, social media is abuzz with reports that both hajj and umrah visa fees have been revised for repeat pilgrims. According to the Saudi Gazette, the Ministry of Haj and Umra, which is located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is reportedly instituting new
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
