The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities issued an official statement categorically denying rumors circulating in recent hours about the suspension of Umrah trips for Egyptian citizens through the Saudi platform “Nusk.” The Ministry affirmed that Umrah trips are continuing as scheduled and that what has been circulating represents an inaccurate interpretation of specific regulatory procedures.
Background of regulatory procedures
The Ministry clarified in its statement that the controversy stems from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's suspension of electronic transactions with a limited number of Egyptian tourism companies. This measure was taken due to these companies' failure to comply with the approved regulations and requirements for Umrah programs, which aim to guarantee the rights of pilgrims and provide them with the best possible services. The Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Tourism Companies Affairs, Samia Sami, emphasized that this suspension is an individual measure affecting only the violating companies and does not, in any way, affect the continuity of Umrah trips for the general Egyptian public.
The importance of the “Nusk” platform and digital transformation
These developments come within the context of the significant digital transformation underway in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030, which aims to facilitate the journey of pilgrims from around the world. The “Nusk” platform, launched by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, is a cornerstone of this transformation, providing pilgrims and visitors with a unified and comprehensive platform that allows them to easily plan their trips, obtain visas, and book various service packages. Coordination between the Egyptian Umrah Portal and the Saudi “Nusk” platform is a vital step to ensure data transparency and the efficient organization of travel.
Local and regional impact of the decision
Domestically, the Ministry of Tourism's clarification is of paramount importance in reassuring thousands of Egyptian citizens wishing to perform Umrah, as well as the hundreds of tourism companies that adhere to the regulations. This statement underscores the Egyptian state's commitment to regulating the religious tourism sector and protecting the rights of its citizens from any illegal practices. Regionally, this stance reflects the depth of coordination and cooperation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia in organizing the Hajj and Umrah seasons, with both countries working together to ensure a safe and organized spiritual experience for pilgrims, a significant proportion of whom are Egyptian annually.
Regulations for the new Umrah season
Samia Sami, who also heads the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah, emphasized that the regulations governing the 1447 AH Umrah season, approved by Minister of Tourism Sherif Fathy, require all companies to register all details of their Umrah programs on the official Egyptian and Saudi platforms. She noted that the ministry's committees at the entry points have already identified violations by some companies regarding non-compliance with travel dates registered on the Egyptian Umrah portal, and immediate legal action has been taken against them to ensure the smooth running of the season and protect the rights of citizens.
