@haq-nawaz
Officer Cadet
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Thank you very much for the nice and update information.
I have also planning to go for umra This Wednesday morning (08-Jan-2014). I am very happy and welcome to the guys who want to join me in this trip. I have some question, Your reply will be highly appreciable.
1. I have two kids, Is it possible to keep baby stroller with me in Makkah and Madinah?
2 What is the best time to reach at border.
Dear All
Today I saw in Arab News paper that Expat pilgrims turned away at border post
Published — Monday 30 December 2013
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Expatriates from neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries entering into the Kingdom to perform the Umrah pilgrimage in private vehicles are being turned away by Saudi security officials at border posts.
Many Asian and Arab expatriates working in the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar come to the Kingdom to visit religious sites by car since it is more cost-efficient.
A group of expatriate pilgrims in Dubai obtained Umrah visas from the Saudi Consulate in the UAE, but were turned away by Saudi authorities at the border near Hofuf on Thursday night.
Mohammed Rashad Ali, an Indian expatriate living in Dubai, told Arab News on Friday: “We obtained Umrah visas from the Saudi Consulate here, but were not allowed to enter Saudi territory to proceed to Makkah in our own car.”
Ali said that he and his friends and relatives had to return to Dubai while still in “ihram” (attire worn for performing pilgrimage) and booked a Jeddah-bound flight instead.
He said that if they had known of the change in rules, they would have planned accordingly. The tour operator whom they contacted for clarification said that he was “unaware of any such restriction.”
Haj Ministry spokesperson Ali Al-Ghamdi told Arab News that the ministry had not imposed any conditions on the mode of transport to be used by pilgrims coming from GCC countries. “We have no idea if any other ministry or agency has created any such rule,” he added.
The Passport Directorate in the Eastern Province, which shares borders with member GCC countries, however, confirmed that there were some restrictions on expatriate pilgrims arriving by road from GCC countries.
Col. Muala Al-Otaibi, a spokesperson for the Passport Directorate in the Eastern Province, told local media that expatriate pilgrims are not allowed to enter the Kingdom in private vehicles and that the new measures stipulate that modes of transportation be approved by Umrah companies.
There were earlier reports stating that a group of “Bidoun” (Arabic for stateless persons) pilgrims from Kuwait were stopped at the Raqi checkpoint on the Saudi border and were turned away for the same reason.I had planed for the next week, but after reading this news, i am in confusion , should i go to or no, Any one has complete information , then please share with us…
Regards,
Haq Nawaz
Thank you very much for the reply
Some one told me you can’t go with your family and brother in the same car. Because you sponsor your family (wife, kids) not your brother. Acutally my brother have a visa from other company. Now the question is that, any one have a experience to go with family and someone else (friend) in the same car.
addition to this someone told me, that you got the UMRAH visa but there will be problem at border.
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.
Thank you very much for your reply Humayun Shareef, If you got your visa, It will be good if you share current requirement with me, because next week I will also apply for the same.
and very informative experience shared by Mr Hamid.
If anyone also explain difficulties of parking in Makkah and Madina, or any suggestion to overcome , it will be highly appreciated.
Also I need agent contact number.Regards,
Haq Nawaz
Dear All
This topic is very important and very useful for the newbie. I am also planning for UMRAH in next month, with my family and two brothers (4adults + 2 kids). I have Honda civic 2010 with good condition and have following Question, will be very thankful if you answer all or any of them.
1. Can we go for umrah with (4 adults + 2 kids age under 5) by using this car.
2. Is there any restriction over sponsors or visa type. Because my brother have other company visa.
3. Is there any Tourism ministry in Abu Dhabi or i need to go to dubai.
4. What is the maximum speed on the road? And if i want to reach in MAKKAH, without making any stop then how many hours i have to drive continuously?
5. Is it necessary to get NOC from company.
6. If there is any agent in your contact, It will also very helpful for me.And the person who recently did Umrah after the hajj , His comments will be highly appreciable.
Regards,
Haq Nawaz
