Yemen tells Saudi Embassy to stop visas for Umrah [Archives:2004/734/Local News]

Hassan Al-Zaidi
According to sources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter telling the Saudi embassy to close its door on Yemeni applying for Umrah's visas. The demand came as an official intervention in the disagreement that took place between Yemeni Hajj agencies, in one side, and the Saudi ministry of Hajj.
As a result of the disagreement, the Saudi ministry of Hajj suspended the activities of seventy Yemeni tourism agencies. Such suspension is expected to prevent 50% of the Yemeni intending to take part in the next Umrah season.
In their part, the Yemeni authorities demanded the Saudi embassy to close its doors on Yemeni citizens applying for such visas until the return of the delegation team they intend to send to KSA.
The Saudi authorities excluded Agencies from Yemen and Egypt from providing them with Umrah visas, which started two weeks ago.
Putting tough conditions on Yemeni agencies, Saudi authorities hope such steps will limit the chances of people taking advantage of their stay in the kingdom, during the religious season, to look for work.
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