Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Haj and Umrah is considering the cancelation of the condition of Mahram (male guardian) for women of all age groups as a pre-requisite for granting them Umrah visa, Makkah daily reported on Saturday.

Marwan Shaaban, chairman of the Haj and Umrah committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said this was agreed upon during a meeting he held with Minister of Haj and Umrah Mohammed Saleh Benten.

Deputy Minister Abdul Fattah Mashshat, investors in the Haj and Umrah sectors, hoteliers and many other concerned officials attended the meeting, which discussed the difficulties facing the sector and the future of the Umrah visas vis-a-vis the electronic tourist visas.

Shaaban said during the meeting the minister agreed to study the cancelation of the condition of Mahram for women of all ages in order to issue them with Umrah visas.

Benten, on his part, asked the Haj and Umrah companies to exert more efforts for the comfort of the pilgrims and urged them to contribute effectively for the implementation of the Vision 2030.